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I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. I 






1" . 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ^ 




T.A.GLADING DEL 



c- ^-^ ^ 



3==:^^^w», 



Assault on Abel Brown at Westjield, N. Y.~Page 72. 




7i '.lor 






MEMOIR 



OF 



REV. ABEL BROWN 



BY 



HIS COMPANION, 

a S. BROWN. 



WORCESTER: '^^ 
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, 
IS 49. 



T V .S . v^sV:i<^^i ^ • -. . * sir 



^ 



^^ 






Entered according to the Act of Congress, m th« year 1849, by 

C. S. B E V7 N , 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 



INTRODUCTION 



It seems due to the character of an individual, who ha» 
labored long and assiduously to promote the best interests 
of his fellow-beings, that his life should be portrayed, after 
he has ceased to act in his corporeal nature, and when his 
memory, or the influence of his life, alone remains, en- 
deared to his friends, and spectre-like to his foes ; for, 
" though dead, he yet speaketh." Then let him reiterate 
the truth in his own words, and let his deeds be recorded 
as the best evidence of a life devoted to the service of his 
fellow-mortals, and of his God. 

Offering no apology for this little volume, I merely 
would premise, that I have done the best, that my preca- 
rious health, and circumstances would allow, and that I 
have been obliged to rely essentially on the correspon- 
dence and papers of Mr. Brown, in connection with my 
own personal knowledge. Having little available informa- 
tion from even known resources, many important incidents 
may have been omitted, but an index, I trust, has been 
given to his general character as a christian, and an hum- 
ble reformer of the age in which he lived and wrought. 

The character of an individual, whether good, neutral; 
or evil, is held in various degrees of estimation, as it is 
seen and appreciated only by partial lights, and not by the 
just blending of all its colors. These produce the bar- 



Vlir INTRODUCTION. 

mony of the whole, and the g^eneral eft'ect is often differ- 
ent from that of the separate tints and shades. This, 
which is frequently the case with those engaged in affairs 
of the state, who are held up to the scrutinizing gaze of 
the public, is still more so with the reformer, from the pe- 
culiarity of his position. Boldly arrayed against popular 
institutions, he awakens and excites personal feeling and 
indignation, by his appeals to the conscience, as with dem- 
onstration and energy he exposes the odious sin or vice to 
view, causing the evil-doers to behold and comprehend its 
enormity, and seek for its removal. In such a position, 
people are influenced by interest or prejudice in deciding 
on the reformer's character. One doubts his sincerity, 
another his talent, another perhaps, his object — as being 
unworthy of popular excitement or attention. Thus it is, 
and however self-denying a reformer may be, his efforts 
obtain him little credit for disinterestedness of purpose or 
benevolence of action. So selfish are mankind generally 
in their aims, that they can hardly conceive how any per- 
son can be actuated by different motives from their owa, 
they not having experienced the divine principle of love,, 
which animates his spirit in every obligation, and in every 
pursuit of life. For these reasons, the writer has dwelt 
somewhat in detail, on minor points of interest, deeming 
them essenii il, ia no small degree, to the delineation of a 
true picture. Could these memoirs only stimulate others, 
to a life of greater self deni il and persever an. e in the 
cause of the persecuted, she will have fally attained her 
object. C. S B. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

His descent— Birth— Natural activity and love of business — His 
Guardian Sister — His experience of a new life — and choice of 
Profession 1^ 



CHAPTER II. 

Family Letters — Christian Experience 15 

CHAPTER III. 

studies Divinity at Hamilton— Continuation of Correspondence 
with his Sister — Letter to his Parents and Brother ... 23 

CHAPTER IV. 

Second year at Hamilton— His Practical Efforts in the Cause of 
Sabbath Schools — Missionary Letters— Journal . . . -i'-i 

CHAPTER V. 

Continuation of Letters and Journal — Third year at Hamilton — 
The Mission Family 41 



X CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VI. 

Labors in Western and Central N. Y. for the promotion of Sabbath 
Schools — Leaves Hamilton and studies at Homer — Becomes a 
Lecturing Agent in the Cause of Temperance ... 50 



CHAPTER VII. 

Preaches at Westfield, N. Y. — Trials and Persecution — Is publicly 
whipped, &c. — Labors in Pennsylvania — Lectures in behalf of 
the American Anti-Slavery Society — An Epistolary Address to 
the Senior Class of Hamilton Institution 70 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Settlement at Beaver — Receives Appointment of Agency from the 
A. S. Society of Western Pennsylvania — Persecution — An at- 
tempt to throw him into the River Ohio — *' Delivers the Spoiled 
from the hand of the Spoiler " — Efforts to advance the Cause 
of the Slave in his own Denomination 79 



CHAPTER IX. 

Receives Appointment of Agency for the Western Education So- 
ciety — Leaves Pennsylvania — Visits Massachusetts — Continues 
to Labor in the Cause of the Slave 



CHAPTER X. 

Commission from the Massachusetts Abolition Society — Settles at 
Northampton— Private Correspondence — Death of his Sister — 
Letter to C. P. Grosvenor ....... 92 



CONTENTS. XI 

CHAPTER XI. 

His Anti-Slavery Position — The Political Contest — Correspondence 
— Leaves Northampton— Subsequent Settlement at Sand Lake, 
N. Y.— Continuation of Letters 98 



CHAPTER XII. 

Bemoval to Albany — Labors in behalf of Refugees — Engages as 
Publisher of the Tocsin of Liberty — Formation of the Eastern 
N. Y. Anti-Slavery Society— Fugitive Slave cases . . . 114 



CHAPTER XIII. 

The Slave Hunter— Scenes of Outrage — Rights of Colored Citizens 
invaded— No Legal Redress— Interference of Mr. Brown in be- 
half of the injured — Consequent Indictment — Pi-oposition to 
Lecture — Mob Elements Combined — Mr. Brown is burned in 
Effigy, &c.— Clay Indictment — Circular — Explanatory State- 
ments — Indefinite Postponement of Trial .... 128 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Scenes of Domestic affliction — Death of his wife — The two White 
fugitives — Report of Vigilance Committee — Lewis Washington, 
the Fugitive Slave Lecturer — Mr. Brown visits Massachusetts — 
Our first Acquaintance — Correspondence .... 144 



CHAPTER XV. 

Visit to New York — Subsequent Marriage — Anniversary of the 
Eastern N. Y. A. S. Society— City Association in behalf of the 
oppressed — Labors in New York — Convention in New Jersey- 
Phrenological character of Mr. Brown given by 0. S. Fowler IM 



XM CONTENTS 

CHAPTER XVI. 

The Slave Musician— A Western Tour— Letters — Visits Massa- 
chusetts — Return to Albany — Continuation of Efforts in behalf 
of the Slave — Mr. Brown's Political Views — His contiuned in- 
terest in the Temperance Cause — Letter to the Mayor of Albany 160 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Letters — Anniversary of Eastern N. Y. Anti- Slavery Society — Mr. 
Brown visits Western N. Y. — Labors for the Cause in various 

counties 1S6 

Riotous scenes in Troy • . 195 

My own personal Observations of his views and character . » 207 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

The Family Circle— The Visit of Alvan Stewart— His Letter— Our 
Parting— His last Journey for the Slave— His Visit at Rochester- 
Free Mission Meeting— The last Letters— His Sickness and Death 
— Correspondence of the Mosher Family — Eft'usions of Grief- 
Funeral Services — An Obituary Notice— Resolutions — Monu- 
mental Inscriptions — Conclusion . . ... 212 



MEMOIE OF ABEL BROWN. 



CHAPTER I 



His descent— Birth — Natural activity and love of business — His guardian 
Sister — His experience of a new life — and choice of Profession. 

The subject of this memoir, was born at Springfield, 
Massachusetts, in the year 1810, Nov. 9th. His parents 
were respectable, inasmuch as they were christians, and 
trained their family by precept and example in those vir- 
tues that adorn the christian character. Abel was the 
third of six children, including an only and dearly be- 
loved sister, of whom some account will be given in suc- 
ceeding pages, — indeed, sufficient to throw light on the 
subject of this volume. His father, Abel Brown, was 
native of Springfield, son of Collins Brown, " a respecta- 
ble farmer of retired habits, known but little abroad." 
His mother was native of Hadley, Massachusetts, whose 
name was Joanna, the daughter of Timothy Lyman, who 
graduated at Yale College in some year between 1775 
and '78, and afterwards studied the profession of medicine, 
in which capacity he settled in the vicinity of Northamp- 
ton. The ancestors of Abel, on the maternal side, were 
members of the church in charge of President Edwards, 
and his mother seems to have imbibed much of the spirit 
of those times, when the Lord moved as upon the face of 
the waters, the vast multitude who thronged to listen to 
the eloquent pleadings of the inspired preacher. In those 
days of earnest devotion, to be a christian, implied some- 
thing more than '* a name to live." Who knows the ex- 
2 



14 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

tent of such an influence, even to the present hour. It is 
for this reason, I notice the membership of those venera- 
ble fathers and mothers. 

Abel spent his earliest childhood at the home of hi: 
parents, in the place of his nativity, until his removal witl 
them at the age of eleven years, to the state of N. Y 
Madison County. 

In size he was of ordinary stature, with proportionable 
large head and chest, affording him much of the sanguine 
united with a quick nervous temperament. His foreheac 
finely arched, indicated intellectual powers, of no ordinary 
character; while with a cheerful, yet steady and deter- 
mined eye, he pursued every object of his undertaking 
with resistless energy. Still, *' easily governed as a child" 
by persuasion and appeals to his consciousness of filial 
obligation, yet not a subject for arbitrary discipline. 

His swiftness in pedestrian plays with his school-fellows 
was somewhat remarkable, — as with the speed of an ante- 
lope, " he would often outstrip them in the race." Of 
dancing too, he was fond. It is needless to say, however, 
that with him, it was mere pastime in an hour of childish 
glee, confined to his younger days — the ebullition of a joy- 
ous heart, when nature showed nought but a sunny face, 
(the mirror of his own) and the world itself, seemed one 
enticing charm. Such is infancy — and sin alone unfolds 
a different view to the weeping eyes of manhood ; throw- 
ing its darkening shadows over all that is beautiful and 
fair, and filling the cup of life with bitterness and woe. 

He was said to be ** a natural scholar, and quick to 
learn ;" yet when young, was sent to school as conven- 
ience would permit, rather than receiving ihe benefit of a 
systematic course of instruction (I should judge.) 

It is certain that at an early age, he manifested a dispo- 
sition for business. Some kind of employment, he ever 
sought. Inspired by this natural disposition, enhanced by 
necessity, the child of poverty — at the age of twelve (as he 
himself informed me) he was extremely solicitous to enter a 
store — and accordingly did — business of some kind seemec 
to be his life. Affable in his manner, and prompt in hi* 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 15 

calling, he gained many friends. I have heard him speak 
ilso of assisting in the care of children, in a family, when 
joung, and of visiting with them and sharing equally in all 
;heir privileges as social guests. This fondness of chil- 
dren and tender solicitude for their welfare, was very 
noticeable in after life in his'intercourse with families as 
a lecturer abroad, and was a subject of remark. I have 
heard him speak also, of hearing political discussions in 
stores, which may have contributed to interest his mind 
in matters of this kind. 

He is represented in the following terms, in the numer- 
ous credentials he received as clerk, at diiferent periods, 
as being "faithful, trustworthy, competent, ^c." and as 
*' never having abused the unlimited confidence reposed 
in him." 



CHAPTER II. 

Family Letters— Christian Experience. 

The correspondence between himself and sister, evince 
a kindred sympathy and interest in the welfare of each 
other. Indeed his sister seems at an early age, to have been 
to him a guardian angel, to keep him from temptation, 
waywardness and folly. 

Deeply imbued with the love and knowledge of Divine 
truth, she was abundantly qualified to counsel and advise 
her younger brother, and her little sermons undoubtedly 
exerted a salutary influence over his heart and life. 
While at the Academy at Fredonia, Feb. 8th, '29, she 
writes — 

I feel much interested in your prosperity, and hope you 

enjoy yourself in G . Yet remember Abel, that 

perfection is not to be found in any person or situation in 



16 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

life. Let me entreat you, dear brother, not to seek happi- 
ness from the things of this world exclusively, entwining" 
your affections around them as your only treasure. Con- 
sider they are of the earth, earthly, and must soon return 
to dust. We ourselves also, are passing away fast as the 
wheels of time can carry us. Religion will prepare us 
better to enjoy the things of this life and fortify our minds 
to meet all erents with calmness and resignation. 

In another letter she remarks — Abel, if we have so far 
sustained a good character, it is highly important that we 
strive for it through the remainder of life. 

At nearly the same time, he writes to his brother Edwin, 

" Since leaving home, the Lord has (I trust) shown me 
my perilous condition • out of Christ ' I have been made 
to feel that I was a great sinner. I have thought of join- 
ing the church in this place, but do not know that I am fit 
to belong to a people devoted to God as much as that body 
ought to be. Such a responsibility is resting on a person 
of this description, that I think and fear I should be a 
stumbling block to poor sinners. 

Brother^ do you think of the obligation you are under 
to live as a christian 1 Do you think of the Covenant you 
made with your God when you was buried with Christ in 
baptism? Oh, if you do, as you value your soul, do not 
break it. 

" He that putteth his hand to the plough and looketh 
back, is not fit for the Kingdom of Heaven. "^ 

*' During this period (at nineteen years of age) he 
joined the church at Fredonia, and immediately became 
interested in Sabbath Schools and the cause of God uni- 
versally — and in whatever he engaged for the cause of 
Christ, he entered with his whole heart." 

Even from his first experience in the divine life^ he seems 
to have been confirmed and established ia those high and 
holy principles of religious obligation^ which he ever man- 
ifested in after life. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 17 

FROM HIS SISTER. 

. . . . I am exceedingly anxious that you live de- 
voted to God, In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He 
will direct thy path. Your young companions may for- 
sake you, but let them take knowledge by your life, that 
you have learned of Christ. After relating her own ex- 
perience, she farther adds, — A. let us live a self-denying 
and Cross-bearing life, and that Being who has been the 
God of our dear parents will be ours also. 

W-hile interceding at the throne of grace for ourselves, 
let us not forget our dear brothers at home. 

Dunkirk, Sept. Ath, '30. 
Dear Sister, — As I am deprived the privilege of attending 
Covenant meeting this afternoon, I write you a few lines. 
I was quite disappointed in not attending Association, yet 

endured it very patiently, but Mr. informed me that 

I could no more attend meetings during week days, while 
I live with S. H. &, Co. I have heard you had a good 
meeting at Carroll, and am glad others can have the privi- 
leges and enjoy them if I cannot. But Cynthia, I hope 
I shall not always be obliged to live as I now do, although 
I think it is all for the best. I have enjoyed myself much 
this afternoon thinking of my dear brethren and sisters. 
Oh Cynthia, how pleasant it is to get away from the cares 
and troubles of this world and sit down with those we 
expect to meet in heaven ! 

From a certificate of commendation given him (at 
twenty years of age) by a Mercantile Company, it seems 
that he was eminently qualified for business, and that " his 
integrity and moral character were irreproachable." 

He was alternately engaged as a student and behind the 
counter, as a means of support in the prosecution of his 
studies — while his sister was much employed in teaching 
school. There seems also, to have been a reciprocation 
of favors between them, always so delightful and praise- 
worthy in families. 
^* 



»I8 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWPT. 

At this time his sister writes thus : 

*' I believe our trials have served to increase our union 
and strengthen those ti s of divine love, which should en- 
twine around the hearts of all the children of God. Oh 
yes, Abel, I begin to think trials are good — ^they only 
serve to make the path of the righteous to shine brighter 
and brighter. We all the time need something to wean 
our affections from this world and cause us to love and 
serve God more and better. I do sometimes feel to con- 
fide in God, * Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief " 

March 81st, '31. To a friend Abel writes, as follows; 
I never, until within a few days, felt to give myself up to 
the service of God in all respects, but I now feel willing 
to put all on board Zion's ship and give God the helm. 

Mr. P. is getting the Presbyterian yoke on so hard, that 
it will gall his neck (I think.) 

Remember me to all friends. Tell brother Hale, that 
God has seen fit to bless me in a straight forward course, 
&c. What my future destiny is, I know not — my only 
desire (as respects myself) is, to live so that I shall be 
approved in that day, when I am called to the judgment 
seat of Christ. 

FROM CYNTHIA. 

Sept. 30th, '30. 
. . . . I plainly see that I love this world so much, 
that there is very little of the Father dwelling in my heart. 
A. undoubtedly, you think, you have many trials and dis- 
appointments to encounter — well, these are the common 
lot of all God's people. " Through much tribulation ye 
enter the kingdom of Heaven." You and I have but just 
entered the field of battle — shall we desert at the com- 
mencement ? No, my brother — the victory is for those 
who fight. Let us endure as good soldiers of " Jesus 
Christ, the great Captain of our salvation," who will 
shortly bear us conquerors, through him who hath loved 
us, away to His heavenly mansions, where we shall sing 
" the^ong of Moses and the Lamb, forever and ever/' 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 19 

Dc Abel, trust in God for direction in every affair of 
life. Let us pray for each other, long as health and life 
remains. 

In a subsequent letter to his sister, he writes — *' As for 
the thin^rs of this world, I have come to the conclusion, 
that it is all vexation of spirit. The more I engage in 
them the more perplexities I find." 

Lockport, May 6th, '31. 
Oh, my Dear Sister, 

What shall I say — In viewing the situation 
of my father's family — those near and dear to me by the 
ties of consanguinity. I am almost resolved to say, I will 
turn my attention (exclusively) to their temporal welfare 
and to the affairs of tliis life. The Lord has (I trusty 
taken from me the desire of possession in this world, with" 
all its vain pursuits and delusive 'charms — and I now 
think myself willing to relinquish all for the service of 
Christ, could I only see my dear brother (for whose inter- 
est I feel deeply) in a way to obtain an education. Yet 
God is able to banish all my fears and place all my hopes 
on His blessed cause. Think calmly vrhile you read. If 
I could see you, I could then unbosom my feelings, but I 
tell you, and I hope in the fear of God (strange as it may 
seem) that I feel it my duty after asking of God as I trust 
— to preach — and my dear sister, if you ever felt to pray 
for your brother, pray now, that he may be willing to go 
forth and discharge his dut?/, relying on God alone to 
bless and sustain his efforts. 

When I look around and see how " white are the fields," 
— and the laborers so few, I feel anxious for the time to 
go and thrust in the sickle and share in the bounties of so 
glorious a harvest. I feel as though I want to wear out 
this body and these lungs in the service of God. 

The path to riches and honor in this world look easy, 
but not inviting. It is nothing to be rich in this world, 
but to be rich in grace, is all I wish — or to be more plainly 
understood, I desire (I think) nothmg so much as to be a 
faithful minister of Jesus. God has seen fit to bless me 



^0 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



abundantly since I tried to serve him — and he has said, 
his grace is all-sufficient. 

The church in this place, has of late received some 
precious jewels, although some are dead weights in Zion. 
Should Providence permit, I shall go out to Chautauque 
in about two months, when I hope to have a message for 
some of those who sleep in Zion. Oh remember me at 
the mercy seat. 

P. S. I expect to leave the business I am in, in about 
six or eight weeks if the door of Providence is opened. (My 
employer is now in New York.) You may keep this let- 
ter within your own breast, until you hear from me again, 
as I may be deceived on this subject, but talk to God much 
about it. I hope all will trust in God, not in Abel, — I 
cannot give the things of this world. A. B. 

Many things of a family nature in their correspondence, 
(not suited to the public eye) tend equally with the pre- 
ceding, to exhibit his character in the kindred relations 
he sustained — such as proffers of assistance to his broth- 
ers in obtaining an education, which were duly appreci- 
ated and readily accepted. 

Such simple exhibitions of his views and feelings, as 
these frank and unassuming letters present, carry far more 
evidence of his true character, than the most labored ar- 
guments in Ethics, or the mere solution of intellectual 
problems in divinity. In consideration of so valuable tes- 
timony, it is hoped the compiler will be excusable for 
making so copious extracts therefrom. 

Lockport, June 17th, '31. 
" Dear Sister, 

Yours I have — Jesus reigns — Let the earth re- 
joice — all I can say is, what hath the Lord wrought ! I 
have often thought of the youth in fair Chautauque, and 
when in a measure, I have realized their situation at the 
bar of God, I think I have felt in heart to say, Lord, save 
or they perish ! Let us for one moment look back, when 
we were without hope and without Christ in the world, 
busily engaged in decorating these mortal bodies, which 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 21 

soon must be food for woriiis, and see if we are not under 
obligation to serve God while we live for even permitting 
us to bear some humble part in accomplishing his pur- 
poses. Oh, how humble should christians feel when God 
in his infinite mercy has vouchsafed unto them his Holy 
Spirit, to guide and direct them into all duty — and to as- 
sist them to speak and pray to divine acceptance. Christ- 
ians should ever realize that their strength is perfect 
weakness, and depend alone on the strength and merits of 
Christ. 

If you who are Baptists, are now, all only willing that 
God should reign, and will lay by your party feelings, you 
will soon be built up a spiritual house, against which the 
prince of darkness or his followers cannot prevail. I hope 
you and those dear sisters with you, will do and realize, 
that the cause of Christ is worth infinitely more than all 
earth beside — and pray God to keep you humble, that 
you may never cease your efforts, until you see "the 
church coming up out of the wilderness, leaning upon the 
blessed Jesus." All that is required of you is, to perform 
the duties allotted to you as individual christians, in the 
love and fear of God, and leave the event with Him who 
knows what is best for his children. Christians are apt 
to have an unscriptural anxiety about God's affairs, are 
fearful he will not manage just right — but if you ever 
feel any thing of this, be assured that you are not right. 
Don't trouble yourself about the affairs of God, he will 
permit error, delusion, strife and tumfllt to reign just as 
long as he sees fit, and then will bring it to an end. — 
Would that I were more reconciled to the will of heaven. 
I wish to make a few plain remarks to you, and others, 
could I see them, on the example those in your situation 
should exhibit. For several years you have professed relig- 
ion, yet you are still young. Those younger than yourselves 
will probably make the same profession ; to whom will 
they look for example? To sister Brown, Burgess, Mal- 
lery, &.c. If then young christians should thus look to 
you for instruction, what conduct should you bear towards 
them? In the first place, you should always greet them 



22 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



with that pleasant salutation, sister. Oh, how my feelings 
have been dampened by the title Mr. from one whom I 
really thought to be my brother. This aifectionate saluta- 
tion is often omitted in the presence of strangers — but it 
is wrong so to do — for see, says the stranger, those christ- 
ians are ashamed of each other. 

2d. We should be careful to enquire after the welfare 
of their souls, whether they enjoy the presence of Jesus or 
not — and very soon, it would be our greatest delight to 
tell each other how much of heaven we have enjoyed since 
last we met. 

3d. Let our conversation be in heaven from whence we 
look for the Saviour. 

Finally, we should endeavor so to act that we can look 
up implicitly toward heaven and ask God for a blessing 
on our labors. We are apt to forget to pray together. 
We should make it a practice (on all proper occasions) 
when we meet and when we part, to begin and end at the 
mercy seat." 

Again he writes — '^ I am at present busily engaged in 
the things of this world, but expect ere long to be liberated, 
and with pleasure I look forward to the heavenly employ- 
ment, to which I trust, my Saviour has called me. Al- 
though, I must say with one of old, " Who is sufficient 
for these things." " Praise the Lord," for the arm of the 
Jehovah is Almighty. I love you all dearly, but hope I 
love Jesus and his cause more. I want more humility ; 
I cannot tell you all my wants, but Jesus knows them. 
The road to heaven lies through this world, and as our 
Captain went before, let us follow and submit cheerfully 
to the temptations of Satan and all the enemies of God, 
recollecting that " they work for us a far more exceeding 
and eternal weight of glory." 

" Then shall I be satisfied when I awake in his like- 
ness." 

Let us so live, that when called upon at death, we can 
say, — I have done what I could. That we may be per- 
mitted to reign together in heaven, is the earnest prayer 
of your brother, Abel. 



CHAPTER III. 

Studies Divinity at Hamilton — Continuation of correspondence with his 
sister — Letter to his parents and brother. 

Although kind offers of commission were presented hirr 
(at this age) in mercantile business, he declined, on the 
ground that " the Lord had other work for him to do." 
And being still desirous to continue his studies with refer- 
ence to the ministry, he entered the Lit. & Theo. Sem, 
at Hamilton. 

Soon after his arrival in H. he thus describes his jour- 
ney from Forestville, &lc. being a review of former scenes 
and acquaintance, together with his new abode. 

Oct. 29th, 183L 

My Dear Sister, I arrived in 

Lockport Sunday after 1 left you about ten o'clock — 
found all warm friends and well Started on Monday 
Morn, '* on board boat" with Elder Tucker. Arrived at 
El bridge in time to hear the first sermon at the sitting of the 
Convention. Elder Elliott stood in the pulpit and spoke 
from Rom. 8th : 3d and 4th verses. I think I never heard 
a sermon from mortal lips, that exhibited more of the 
greatness, goodness and love of God. He indeed showed 
himself to be a man of talents, eloquence and powers of 
reasoning, yet he appeared desirous to use them all in 
showing the loveliness of the Saviour and not himself. It 
was a very interesting season, and they indeed appeared to 
sit together " in a heavenly place" in Christ Jesus. 

Thursday, proceeded on our way and arrived at Syra- 
cuse in the evening — heard the converted Jew preach. 
Started in the morning and arrived at Morrisville about 
noon. I now feel quite at home. Called on most of the 
friends, visited the grave yard, and there saw the little 
mounds raised over the bodies of many whom I once be- 
held walking the streets of Morrisville. There is a sweet- 



24 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

ness in the thought, in viewing these sepulchral homes, 
that the mortal part only rests there. It seemed very 
pleasant to read the names of those who (as I trusted) 
died in the triumphs of faith, for while I gazed on the 
earth that hid their bodies from sight, I looked — and by 
the eye of faith, saw them rising in the likeness of Christ. 
I saw the grave of Miss L. (Oh, that fair form is now 
wasting away.) I felt as though I could weep, but some- 
thing whispered, she has gone to God who will do no in- 
justice. 

All my young acquaintance received me very cordially : 
those of us who were once boys and girls together, now, 
apparently took more delight in conversing with each 
other than ever. But my sister, they don't love Jesus. I 
endeavored in my feeble manner, to tell them that Jesus 
had died to save sinners, and that they must believe on 
Him if they would be saved — yet none but God can turn 
them. I hope I love to pray for them. I went to Messrs. 

; the young ladies inquired particularly about you 

and expressed a wish to see you, which I think was real. 

I arrived here last Monday evening — called on brother 
Dean and was welcomed to his abode, and for the first 
time was permitted with him to address a throne of grace. 

We rise in the morning at half past four — assemble in 
the Chapel at five and attend prayer, (O Cynthia, it is a 
pleasant place.) Breakfast at about half past six, — have 
porridge and bread for breakfast, — meat, sauce and bread 
for dinner, or leave the meat and take butter, as we 
choose. For tea we take cold water, bread and butter. 
This is the fare of most of the students or of the abstinence 
society ; but tea, coffee, &/C. are furnished for those who 
wish them. 

Cynthia, the word self-denial means a great deal. In- 
form yourself in what duty consists, and *' go thou and do 
likewise." Sister, I would write more on this subject, 
did room admit. I do not like to write such a letter as 
this, but knew you would expect it, therefore comply. I 
had much rather be telling you about the Saviour, for He 
appears exceedingly precious to me at this time. The 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 25 

closet has been very sweet to me, although I have the same 
temptations of sin and of Satan to withstand as ever. I 
hope you grow in grace every day, for this is your privi- 
lege. I think I feel more sensibly the presence of God — 
that He is ever looking into the innermost recesses of the 
soul. It is a fearful consideration, — but if we can hide 
under the Saviour's wings we are safe. What unholy 
creatures we seem, when we realize that the all-piercing 
eye of Jehovah is upon us ! 

To all. I hope none of you meet at the mercy seat 
without remembering Abel, especially in a family capac- 
ity. God will hear prayer. 

Remember me to all the dear brethren and sisters — 
especially to those who bade me such a hearty farewell. 
Yours in a precious Savior, A. B. 

22d Feb. — This morning have been reading the ISth 
chapter of Matthew. I find that I owe God ten thousand 
talents, and that when I had nothing to pay, He, as I trust, 
forgave me all the debt. On exam^ining my heart, I find 
also that I have been like the wicked servant who took his 
brother by the throat, when he owed him but one hundred 
pence. O, shall I ever possess the forgiving spirit which 
characterized our Saviour. I have often thought if I 
could go to F., I would with pleasure confess to those 
who stood opposed to me in opinion, that I did not feel the 
forgiving spirit of Jesus. My sister, it is our duty, if we 
do wrong in the least, even to a person who has all his 
life-time abused us, to go to that person and confess our 
fault. We must confess and forsake our sins, if we would 
find mercy. Have all the dear brethren and sisters in For- 
estville church, confessed all their wrong feelings toward 
and expressions about their opposing brethren and sisters ? 
If they have not, they cannot expect to be blessed in soul, 
and they certainly have not done their duty. We must do 
those things in which we ask God to bless us or we can- 
not have free access to the mercy seat, and if we are shut 
from that blessed place, we are surely in a lamentable con- 
dition. 

3 



26 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

Sunday Eve, Feb. 26. — I have just received a letter 
from brother Thomas. He tells me he hopes he is a 
christian. I hope you will lead him along. I want to 
talk w^ith you about self-denial. Bear with me a little lon- 
ger. I find it is our duty to deny our taste as well as any 
other vain desire. I find by experience that I enjoy good 
health and live without pies or cakes, tea or coffee. A 
plain, simple diet is for our health ; it costs the least, and 
God approves. A contrary course injures our health, costs 
more, and God disapproves. I only mention this subject, 
and leave it with you to pray over. In doing the will of 
God, there is great reward. 

Hamilton, May 25, '32. 

Very Dear Br. Edwin : — I know not how to address you 
as you may be in eternity before I am ever permitted to 
see you. I know not why you are afflicted, while I enjoy 
health. You cannot be a greater sinner than I am, there- 
fore that cannot be the reason. I can only say, "Even so, 
Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight." I hope, my 
brother, you will neither murmur nor repine at your lot ; 
for the Lord does all things well. He knows when it is 
best to send affliction upon his children, and when best to 
take them to himself Only resign all into his hands and 
trust in Jesus for salvation, and you can meet death with a 
smile. Do not think your situation and lot hard ; for 
when compared with others they are not. A short time 
since, I was at the County Poor-house — went around 
among the sick and conversed with them about their 
eternal interest. I found many without hope in Christ; 
two in particular were miserable, com.pared with your sit- 
uation. They sent for me to visit their chamber. I im- 
mediately complied with their request. I went to the bed- 
side of the first, a black woman, about middle aged. She 
was in great distress — told me she had a hope in Jesus and 
expected soon to be with him. Yet, said she was willing 
to bear all the pain the Lord saw fit to inflict, as he would 
not send one too many. The other was an intelligent 
looking young woman, whose husband had become a 
drunkard, and left her, with a dear little child after bring- 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 27 

ing her to this land of strangers, sick and alone, without 
any friend but the mercies of the public. In this situation 
she was carried to the poor-house. She was almost over- 
powered with grief She said that she had an aged father 
and mother in Massachusetts ; but they were unable to 
render her any assistance, and she was unwilling to have 
their hearts broken by the sad intelligence of her situation. 
After telling her about Jesus and his suffering, she, look- 
ing at the little child, said, " Were it not for this, I would 
willingly die." I looked at her and then at the black wo- 
man, who asked me if I was willing to pray with them. I 
kneeled by her bed-side, and tried to commend them in 
the name of Jesus to Him v/ho hears prayer. After I arose 
they thanked me for what they esteemed kindness, and I 
soon retired. I have reflected much upon the scene since 
that time, and have endeavored to compare their situation 
with yours and mine. They have no father who prays for 
them ; no mother to soothe their anguish and answer their 
calls ; no affectionate sister to sympathize with them in 
their affliction, and no friend to call and tell them about 
Jesus. I hope, my brother, you will be calm and undis- 
turbed when thinking of your situation, and try to realize 
that you are not at your own disposal ; but that God has 
sent this affliction upon you for some wise purpose ; and 
although you may not think or see why it is so, yet, trust 
in God, and believe him when he says, " all things shall 
work together for good to them who love him." 

The only desire the christian should have to stay in this 
world, should be to warn sinners to flee from the wrath to 
come. The Lord knows when to take them to accomplish 
his purposes. You may at last meet around the throne 
with hundreds of immortal spirits, who were brought to 
see their situation through the instrumentality of one con- 
verted at your death. 

Death, to the impenitent sinner is the " king of terrors" ; 
but to the christian, it is the beginning of life. Is it a 
terror to be free from sin, and to be like Jesus? The 
thought of being like Jesus has many times filled your soul 
with joy inexpressible. But, O my brother, what will the 



28 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

reality be ! Now we look only by an eye of faith into 
Heaven, seeing Abraham, Isaac and Moses, with angels 
and Jesus — and even this infant glance almost overcomes 
us ; but what will be our joy when seated in their midst ! 
I have sometimes been ready to inquire, why am I not one 
of their number ? It is because this clog of clay holds me 
down to earth. But I trust you will soon have the privi- 
lege of leaving this hinderance, and death alone can sep- 
arate this mortal from immortality. Then do not fear to 
die, for death is no more than raising the curtain which 
hides Heaven from our view. We should be willing to stay 
here just as long as God would have us, and bear with pa- 
tience all the afflictions he sends upon us ; for we never 
can suffer as much as Jesus did. I want to see you very 
much, but do not expect it in the flesh. There will be no 
death around the throne of God. There, we can praise 
that Jesus who died to redeem us without interruption. 

how sweet his name will sound when sung by an im- 
mortal tongue ! Were there not a world of sinners who 
never heard the sweet name of Jesus, I would gladly go 
with you to His Father's mansions. I must bid you adieu. 

1 shall, in my feeble manner, try to pray that God may 
give you a calm and unmoved spirit ; and that, whether 
He permits you to live or die, you may be His, Oh, my 
brother, trust in God and /ear not. Farewell. 

In the prosecution of his studies he was obliged, as he 
had hitherto been, like many other students, to rely entire- 
ly on his own exertions for support, excepting occasional 
favors from his family, always given with a good will and 
a hearty "God speed," which to him was more than an 
encouragement to effort. 

In his sister he never failed to find a sympathizing friend 
to cheer him onward in his course, as from her lips and 
pen she dropped the words of consolation and of love. 

Hear her say in that angel voice, " Go on, my brother; 
my soul says, go — Yonder is the prize laid up in Heaven 
above." Then pointing the way she proceeds — "but ever 
be mindful that through much tribulation we enter the 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 2& 

kingdom of heaven. There are many enemies to encoun- 
ter; but they shall be destroyed, and we come off more 
than conquerors through Him who hath loved us. Oh that 
I could do something for God during the little time I may 
be permitted to live. I feel that my life is almost spent. 
Had it been spent in usefulness, then I could meet death 
with a smile — but Jesus lives ; therefore have I hope. I 
have enjoyed many pleasant seasons in my little retired 
chamber since you left. Sweet have been my meditations 
on heavenly things, and you, my dear brother, have not 
been forgotten. May the Lord ever be your guide is the 
prayer of your unworthy sister. I now retire — " and 
there, in the sanctuary of a sister's heart, was he again 
and again remembered. 

In a letter dated, Hamilton, Dec. 5, '31, he thus writes: 

Dear Parents : — I trust, I have felt and do still feel 
grateful for your unceasing kindness to me. I am led to 
thank God for permitting you to live, and be a guide to me 
in youth. But the privilege of receiving religious instruc- 
tion in childhood, is one that I never have realized as I 
ought. Where should I have been or what my fate, had I 
not have had religious parents to instruct me — God only 
knows. I think I have (of late) had a small view of the 
blessings resulting from praying parents. 

You appear precious to me when I think of the circle 
around a father's fireside, or when I think of you as earth- 
ly friends, who will always sympathize with me in affliction, 
but when I think of you at the mercy seat, pleading in my 
behalf, then it is, the cord is fastened in my inmost soul. 
Then we are cemented together with a Saviour's blood. 

We ought to be very humble before God for permitting 
us to labor in His cause. We should not think, we are 
making sacrifices, when we are called to give up Father, 
Mother, Brother or Sister, or even our children for Christ's 
sake. I hoped to have been permitted to have supplied 
your temporal wants, when old age deprived you of strength 
— but I trust Jesus will then lend you His sustaining arm 
on which to lean, and will not only go down with you to 
3* 



30 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

the borders of the grave — but will lead you through the 
valley of death — and present you spotless before the throne 
of His Father, while he exhibits His wounded side and 
points to Calvary, saying, — there I purchased these with 
my blood! 

N. B. I hope, you will not trouble yourselves about 
my temporal welfare. A. B. 

Writing his Sister, Dec. 25th, '31, 

In view of the heathen world, he was led to exclaim — 
Where is the christian, who thinks enough of the Saviour 
and the souls of men to leave the parental roof and all 
civilized society, to go and teach them, how to escape the 
wrath of God. I have asked myself, are you willing to 
make these sacrifices, leave home. Father, Mother, Broth- 
ers and Sisters and America with all its enticing charms, 
for the privilege of teaching poor benighted heathen that 
Jesus Christ was crucified that sinners might live ? I do 
not know what to answer, but sometimes trust, I can free- 
ly say — here Lord, am I — if thou canst accept of 
so sinful a creature. I know not where, it will be my 
duty to labor, I must leave it until future years to deter- 
mine ; hoping, I shall be willing to go wherever the Lord 
would have me. You are bound to me my sister, by en- 
dearing ties, and I vainly hoped to have strewed your path 
with temporal blessings, but the Lord in mercy has shown 
me (in a degree) that this world is neither an abode of 
pleasure or of rest, and that we ought not to think of rest- 
ing here below, but rather be anxious to wear out these 
mortal frames in the service of our Divine Master. With 
these feelings I ask you solemnly — are you willing to be- 
come a Missionary 1 Are you willing to live, labor and 
die, pointing sinners to the Lamb of God ? I do not ask 
you to go to Burmah, there are heathen this side of that 
benighted region — I only ask, are you willing to give 
yourself up to the cause of Christ, and pray God to open the 
door and make you willing to enter in. The poor Indians 
call — The distant vallies of the west cry, " come over and 
help us" ; and on all sides the voice is heard, " tell us how 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 31 

to escape an eternal hell — and who Jesus Christ is." I feel 
as though I could with pleasure give you the parting hand 
and say, go, labor for Jesus. I know we are not fit or 
worthy to be Missionaries; but Jesus is worthy. These 
feelings are not of the moment, and the more I inform 
myself upon the subject, the more I long to have my 
desires granted. It is not impossible for God to open a 
door that you may go out and labor for Him. I trust we 
feel that we are the Lord's and not our own. We ought 
not to have any interest of our OAvn separate from Christ ; 
and Christians must devote their time, talents and influ- 
ence to the cause of Christ before the isles of the sea shall 
rejoice, or Ethiopia stretch forth her hands unto God. 

To his youngest brother he writes : 

Dear Brother Lyman : — I love you dearly and want to 
see you very much. Yet I am not sure that I ever shall 
see you again in this world. I wish you to remember that 
you are not too young to die ; and if you die a wicked boy 
you can never go where Jesus is. Jesus loves to hear lit- 
tle boys pray, and delights to see them good boys. I hope 
you go to the Sabbath School and to meeting every Sab- 
bath. I send you this little map, in order that you may 
find the place where Jesus was born, and where he was 
crucified. And when you find these places, think that this 
Jesus died and was crucified because we were sinners, 
and that He might save us from going down to hell. — 
Please to keep this map very nice, and learn to answer all 
the questions in the table. Go to school and learn all you 
can now, while young, so that you may know something 
when you come to be a man. I want you to write me the 
first opportunity you have of sending a letter, and tell me 
whether you go to sabbath school or not, and what you 
study at the day school, and all about what you are doing, 
and what is done in Forestville. Tell brother Edwin, I 
want to see hira very much. From your brother, Abel, 



CHAPTER IV. 

Second year at Hamilton— His Practical Efforts in the Cause of Sabbath 
Schools — Missionary Letters — Journal. 

He seems to have considered a Theoretical course of 
studying Divinity, as it is termed, best promoted by a 
divine course of action. He therefore was not satisfied 
with being cloistered within the walls of an Institution, 
without doing something toward the great object for which 
he was preparing himself He accordingly was much en- 
gaged in exhortation and prayer with his fellow students, 
and in study of the scriptures, with slated seasons for med- 
itation and devotion. 

In writing to his sister, he casually remarks: — I have 
charge of two Sabbath Schools and two Bible classes ; one 
in each. 

Severe in self discipline, he practised every self denial 
requisite, with his limited means, in the prosecution of his 
studies — which also served fully to develop his principles 
and mould his character to the requirements of the gospel. 
He also improved whatever time he could command, in 
publicly teaching the gospel of Christ, as indicated in his 
journals and letters. 

Hamilton, Feb. 6, 1832. 

My Dear Sister : — I know not as this will ever get to 
you, but will pen down a few thoughts. 

I have just returned from Morrisville, where I have 
spent three weeks, it being vacation. Have attended meet- 
ing almost every day in the village and vicinity. I have 
visited most of the people in M. with whom I was acquaint- 
ed, and tried in my cold hearted and feeble manner to tell 
them about Jesus ; but I know so little about Him myself 
that I could neither do or say but little. Oh that I was more 
like my blessed Master. While I live, let me labor for 
Jesus. This world, my sister, how vain it is ! "What will 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 33 

the heathen do — no Saviour to shelter them from that 
Almighty storm that is fast approaching. Can we meet 
them at the judgment seat of Christ, and stand our- 
selves acquitted, unless we do all we can to deliver 
them from this awful state. The youth of our land must 
come up to their rescue. I hope you will train the dear 
children under your care, with the blessing of God, in such 
a manner that they will not live for themselves. 

TO THE SAME. 

14 Feb. '32. 
I have thought, and am daily thinking, concerning the 
subject I have before written you : but no favorable oppor- 
tunity has yet presented itself for consideration. I trust 
that you are laboring for the Lord where you are. We 
should make it our object to glorify God in every position 
of life. Self must altogether be laid aside, if we would 
labor acceptably in his cause. 

loth Feb'y — I was unexpectedly called to lay aside 
my pen last evening, therefore resume it to-night. I have 
been thinking what I have done for Jesus in my life, and 
my feelings and thoughts I cannot describe. I received 
your letter to day, and this evening I have been thinking 
about you, and have thought God would humble you at 
the feet of Jesus, if he never did me — That he would per- 
mit you to labor for him successfully, if I am not. I think 
if I could see you I should talk as follows : — 

" Dear sister, we profess to love Jesus, and say that we 
wish to labor for him ; therefore it becometh us to lay 
aside every thing that keeps us from the Mercy seat and 
hinders us from serving Him. Now are we willing to 
show by our actions what our words say we desire ; are 
we willing to put off the fashions of the world — our fine 
clothes — and are we willing to sacrifice our good names — 
willing to be calltd singular, enthusiastic, self righteous, 
fools, and all other slanderous names which a wicked 
world can heap upon us. Are we willing to deny self en- 
tirely and take up our cross and follow Jesus, if he leads 
us into the burning furnace ? The blessed Jesus had not 



34 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

where to lay his head. Methinks I hear you say, gladly 
would I make any sacrifice ; or, I would not think any 
thing I could do for Jesus a sacrifice. 

I have not mentioned the subject to any one, and shall 
not until I hear from you ; and if you answer me as I trust 
you will, 1 shall use my influence to obtain for you a situ- 
ation, that you may go and labor until you hear the 
voice, "Child, your Father calls, come home." 

I take great pleasure in meeting you at the mercy seat. 

Adieu, my sister. ABEL. 

In his Journal he thus describes his labors on a preach- 
ing tour. 

Springjield, Sept. 8, 1832. I have only a moment 
to write. I have been in town two weeks, and the Lord 
I trust has been with me. Have preached nine times. — 
The Lord appears to be hovering over this place. (Chico- 
pee Factories.) I have not as yet had time to visit any of 
my relatives ; but am under the delightful necessity of 
meeting an audience every evening. There are about 
eight hundred inhabitants in this place. My heart en- 
twines around this people ; but duty will soon call me to 
leave them. I have had some views of eternity, and of the 
awful condition of the sinner in the world of spirits. Oh, 
when will men learn to be wise and consider their latter 
end ! Have seen Eld. Ezra Going to-day, and heard him 
preach. He is a going man, and may the Lord bless his 
labors. 

I take satisfaction in praying the Lord to forgive and 
" wake up" those drowsy professors who clog the wheels 
of Zion, The time has already come when Christians 
must show, by their acts of benevolence, that they are 
such, or be accounted drones in the hive of Christ. I feel 
to bless the Lord that the youth in the church of God be- 
gin to live and act some as Jesus did. Our Saviour be- 
came poor, that we might be rich. And dare we refuse 
to follow his example ? May heaven forbid. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 35 

Avofi, Hartford Co. Conn. Sept. 13. 

I am attending a protracted meeting in this place. God 
has seen fit to bless me since I came here — but I stand 
almost alone. Ministers do not preach here as in N. Y. ; 
and christians are not awake to their eternal interests. I 
I do not know why I have been brought to this place, or 
what the Lord is about to do with me. I hope I am wil- 
ling that God should do with me as seemeth good in his 
sight. When I look back, and see where most who have 
lived upon this earth have gone, and reflect that most, noiv 
on the stage of action, are hastening to the same dark 
abode, ichat can I do, but throw myself in the way, and try, 
with all the powers which God has given me, to stop men 
from plunging into the abyss of woe. A soul in hell eter- 
nally ! how awful the thought ! who can endure it ? 

I came through Hartford on my way to this place, but 
had not time to go about the city much — took a view of 
the place from the top of the Baptist Church. It is pleas- 
antly situated, and contains about ten thousand immortal 
souls. There appears to be much wealth and talent in the 
city. Oh, that it was all devoted to the cause of Jesus ! 
But let others do as they may, here Lord, accept of my 
unworthy self — time, talents and all — and for Jesus' sake 
use them to promote Thy fflory, or take me from the 
world— "Thy will, Oh God^be done." 

Springfield, Sep. 15. — Arrived here this morning from 
Avon. Have had a precious time during my absence from 
this place. It appeared to me that God was willing to save 
sinners ; but his professed ministers and people stood in 
the way. In view of this, I felt to pray '* in groans that 
cannot be uttered," before the Throne, that God would 
break the hearts of His servants. 

On Friday morning, the man who preached on Thurs- 
day P. M., with a heart apparently almost insensible, this 
morning got down upon his knees, being the first who had 
kneeled, and offered a petition, with all that childlike sim- 
plicity with which the ministers of Jesus should pray. It 
was pleasant to see the tears roll down his stately cheeks. 



36 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

The church began to weep, and sinners began to cry, 
" Pray for me." In this situation I left them. 

South Hadley Canal, Sept. 18, 1832. — On Saturday 
evening last found myself very much fatigued, but attend- 
ed meeting. Tried to preach two sermons on the Sab- 
bath at the Factories, and one at Willimansett in the 
evening. The great God, I trust, helped me. On Mon- 
day came to this place — shall continue about two hours. 

During his visit in this region, he notices the attention 
and kindness of various relatives; also the respective char- 
acter and condition of their families, in all of which, he 
manifests the most lively interest for their spiritual well- 
fare. Some are represented as being without hope in 
Christ ; others as devotedly pious. 

*' J is like the man in the gospel, ' I have married 

a wife and cannot come.' R has built him a house 

and is soon to be married. His heart is all full of farms, 
houses, cattle and sheep, and every thing else, except Je- 
sus, and his religion. Grandmother Pendleton is still liv- 
ing, although 94 years old. She is a poor, helpless, insen- 
sible old lady. I have visited the house and farm where I 
was born ; but it does not appear as it did in childhood. 
The beautiful bed of lilies is gone, The stately oak has 
been removed — the shed has fallen and decayed — the fine 
peach trees are not seen, and even the house itself is de- 
caying, and fast falling to pieces." On this scene he 
makes no comment ; .for he never allowed himself in vain 
regrets and sad reflections. This was a peculiar trait in 
his mental disposition. He was too much engaged in the 
duties of the " ever varying present," to indulge in the 
dreamy shadows of the past. 

South Hadley, Sept. 26. 
Last evening, tried to preach in this place, and real- 
ized in some degree the presence of the Saviour. I know 
not why I am thus favored, for I am fully sensible, that I 
am one of the most sinful beings on earth — having sinned 
against great light, and crucified the Saviour afresh, again 
and, again. Still, God, in His unbounding mercy, has 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 37 

seen fit to bless me abundantly. When I realize how this 
sinful world has used the lovely Jesus, I am constrained 
to wonder and am astonished that He has not left it to its 
own choice. I am aware of my indifference to the great 
concerns of eternity, compared with what I shall feel in 
the light of another world, Yet still, I am under the 
painful necessity of seeing those who are even more in- 
different than myself — but they must soon awake or be 
called unprepared, to give an account of their steward- 
ship. 

To Cynthia. 

With reference to a prospective field of usefulness in 
some Missionary Station. 

South Hadley, Sept. 26th, '32. 

Ever be found using all proper means 

to facilitate the object you so much desire to accomplish. 
I love you as I do myself, but I love the cause of Jesus 
more than I love your society. I hope we shall get where 
Jesus is in a few short years : until that time, let us be wil- 
ling to be separated, if the bleeding cause of a suffering 
Saviour thus demands. The poor perishing heathen call 
up all the energies of my soul at times. Were I pre- 
pared, I would gladly leave my native shores for those 
where darkness reigns. I have enjoyed myself very well 
since I have been in this section of country. I have 
spent most of my time at S. where the Lord is moving 
upon the hearts of the dear youth. I have preached every 
Sabbath but one since coming here. Six have been bap- 
tized, others are waiting and some are saying, " What 
shall I do to be saved ?" The people in W. are in a 
cold dead state. Dea. P. is the most engaged of any 
among them, and he is not more than half awake. I have 
tried to talk to them, but there appears a mountain of ice 
hanging over them. Many of the old professors and even 
ministers seem to press me down into the dust. "Awake, 
thou that sleepest and Christ shall give thee life." The 
more I think, do and see relative to these things, the 
more I realize the importance of christians acting accord- 
4 



38 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

ing to their profession. But sister, there is a generation 
of youth coming into the churches, who will unshackle 
themselves from past errors in the church, and give their 
all to Christ and his cause. Be faithful to young christ- 
ians, talk to them, pray with them and impress on their 
minds the importance of giving all to Christ. Not only 
do your duty to the world, but arouse others that they 
may help you in doing this great work. 

JVe can do but little, yet if the multitude of youthful 
friends take hold with us, great things will be accom- 
plished. When you see a young christian in an error, 
tell them frankly in christian meekness of it, and God will 
bless you and them also. I have of late, talked to some 
of our sisters about their curls, ribbons and rings — and to 
brethren about their watch trimmings, and nearly all of 
them have said, I am wrong. Some have even taken 
them off in my presence and said, I will no longer wear 
these unnecessary ornaments. The only way is, to be 
faithful, or these errors will not cease to exist. The 
friends, one and all, speak of you in the warmest terms, 
and seem to desire your welfare. Yours, Abel. 

Continuation of Journal. 

On way to New York, Steam Boat 3IcDonough, Oct. 
2d, '32. — I have just left the dear young friends at C. 
Factories. I have in that place, I trust, enjoyed the pres- 
ence of the Saviour. Never have I found a company of 
young friends, who one and all, gave so many tokens of 
their love and untiring zeal in the cause of Christ. The 
spirit of Missions is fast rising in their minds. Last eve- 
ning at a Monthly Concert of prayer, while relating to 
them the circumstances of Boardman's death, they seemed 
in heart to say, let me like him labor and die in heathen 
lands. 

In conclusion of a scene — he adds, I often had the pleas- 
ure of hearing A. talk about Jesus, with a heart broken 
by his grace, and I saw her weeping when speaking of 
her sinfulness, and at last had the satisfaction of seeing 
her come rejoicing from the watery grave. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 39 

Hamilton, Oct. 8, 1832. 
Arrived home on Saturday last, having been absent 
seven weeks. I have found the only way to do any good 
in the world, is to live in the closet. It is the only place 
in which I can at present take solid satisfaction. There 
I find Jesus, and He is always ready to hear. There I 
see my own sinfulness and exalt the blessed Saviour. 
There I feel for sinners and try to pray for them. There 
I get my spiritual strength renewed, and I catch some 
of the flame of Heaven. Yes, 'tis a blessed place, 
for Jesus shows his smiling face. I prize it above all 
other places below the sun, for there I get my daily food, 
and there I drink my daily draughts to slake my thirsty 
soul ; and the water is ever pure, for Jesus has cleansed 
it with his blood. 

He seems not to have been satisfied with entreaties to 
his sister to become a missionary, but actually made en- 
quiries of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions in rela- 
tion to the subject. On finding that "single females were 
not permitted to go out under their protection," he ad- 
vised her to labor for the Indians at the West; and to this 
end an early opportunity presented itself, as the following 
communication will show. 

Hamilton^ July 7, 1832. 
Dear Sister Cynthia, — Sister Bingham, a Missionary at 
Sault De St. Marie, three hundred miles from Detroit on 
the straits of St. Marys, is here, and informs me that she 
wishes a young lady to return with her or to go up this 
fall and join the Mission. She says that Indians have 
been down to the stations from many hundred miles west, 
who were desirious to have the Missionaries go and settle 
among them. The station is in a very prosperous condi- 
tion, yet they want more help, and my sister, will you go 
and help them, if the door is opened? Think, dear sis- 
ter and try to do as Jesus would have you. I shall wait 
all farther proceedings until I hear from you. 

Yours in haste, Abel Brown. 



40 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

The invitation found a welcome response in the heart 
of her who had long waited the mandate of her Saviour to 
some field of Missionary labor, — and now how could she 
refuse. Accordingly, the ensuing autumn she started for 
the expedition. 

With reference to the departure of his sister, under date 
of Oct. 14, he writes, 

I am unable to express the gratitude I feel to God for 
permitting me to beborn of parents who are willing to give 
up their children to the cause of Christ. My father and 
mother never appeared so precious to me as within a week 
past. I am almost led to think that I never loved them 
before. Yes, my mother, it is better to wear out this 
mortal part in teaching Indians about Jesus, than to lay it 
in the tomb before the vigor of life is spent. Let her live 
among the heathen — labor and die among them. Then 
when Gabriel shall blow the trump of God, let Cynthia 
rise with the dear red sons of the forest, and go up and 
reign with Christ. 

Nov. 9, 1832. This day closes the twenty-second year 
of my life. On reviewing the past, I am constrained to 
say, I have done nothing for the Saviour who died for me. 
My childhood passed thougthlessly away. The days of 
my impenitency were spent in such a manner that I can- 
not think of them without shuddering, and even since I 
hope to have loved Jesus, I have continued to disobey his 
just commands. As to my own enjoyment, it is so much 
obstructed by sin that my course is very much retarded, — 
still, can but love Jesus and put my trust in Him. *' He 
is my soul's bright morning star," — and " He my rising 
sun." And on Him my hopes depend. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 41 



CHAPTER V. 

Continuation of Letters and Journal — Third year at Hamilton — The Mis- 
sion family. 

Hamilton, Nov. llth, 1832. 
This day I have been reading the Journal of Elder 
Judson, and while I have traced him over hills and across 
rivers, now walking until his worn feet prevented, then 
rowing his little boat up the Salwen — here preaching in 
the open air — there in a shed — writing his journal in the 
canoe and sleeping on the ground — I have almost thought 
I was accompanying him. I would gladly be with him, 
and trust I shall yet retrace his steps. The heathen ap- 
pear to be willing to hear concerning Christ, and who can 
withhold the gospel from those who are seeking to know 
its influence? Surely not those who have the spirit of 
Christ. Gladly would I exchange these exalted shores for 
the delightful forests where Burmans and Karens rove. 
How pleasant to point them to Jesus. Surely I should 
want a thousand tongues that all might hear of His lovely 
name. When reflecting on this subject I almost forgot 
my own unworthiness — but Jesus is worthy and in his 
name I hope to go. I have promised the Lord that I will 
wear out this mortal frame in Africa — yet let his holy will 
be done. " Here am I Lord, do with me as seemeth 
thee good." 

Hamilton, Nov. 18th, 1832. 
Dear sister, — Yours of the 25th Oct. came to hand yes- 
terday. I had been waiting for it with deep anxiety. 
When I think of the hand that wrote, as being where I 
have long prayed that it might be, I feel in a measure 
happy. Last spring, when you wrote that you were sick, 
my sweet anticipations forsook me. It appeared that the 
door was forever closed. I wept and prayed, but how 
4* 



42 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

could I willingly submit that you must die before you had 
done any thing for the perishing heathen. But how good 
the Lord was, for He showed by that affliction that with- 
out his assistance we could do nothing. Blessed be the 
name of the Lord, that He has ever given you a hear to 
labor for Him, and more especially, that He has humbled 
it sufficient to make you willing to labor among the In- 
dians. I doubt not, you often feel when looking over some 
delightsome forests to say, " where is the lamb for sacri- 
fice." Your feelings accord with mine in this respect, 
but let us not be discouraged, for Jesus Christ is intersted 
in this work, and He will raise up men after his own 
heart who will gladly be sacrificed upon such an altar. 

As regards my own views and feelings on this all-ab- 
sorbing topic, I can only say, I delight in praying for ihe 
heathen and I hope to wear out this mortal body in labor- 
ing for their good, but in what part of our world, (if God 
should spare my life and make me humble,) I shall labor, is 
known only to him. When I read of the benighted Afri- 
cans, I almost vow to render them my services. The is- 
lands of the sea, Burmah and the Indians are often called 
to mind, and I think of their wants and degradation with 
feelings indescribable, but cannot as yet do any thing to 
help them. I trust the Lord will keep me through his 
truth and make me willing to go where the cause shall 
most demand. You are aware how persons feel when 
they take a religious publication and read that assistance 
is wanted in Greece — Oh, say they, I will go and help 
them. They read again, that France is ready to receive 
the gospel, — they say within themselves, can I not help 
them, — and as they continue to read, other places are pre- 
sented to view, until at last the world appears before them 
with all its wants. Then they cry *' here Lord am I, send 
me where thou wilt." When I enjoy the presence of the 
Savior I have similar feelings. I have received two let- 
ters from mother since you left home. She says, some- 
times I feel as though I cannot part with my children ; 
at other times I commit them into the hands of Jesus that 
they may work in his vineyard. Her heart, she says, was 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 43 

rent when you left her, but she feels reconciled to the 
will of heaven. When we think of the situation of our 
parents, we feel that it would be desirable to continue with 
them and comfort their hearts ; so also the glories of 
heaven were inviting to the Son of God, yet He did not 
refuse to leave them for a season, even that He might die 
on the cross. May we not then gladly leave father, moth- 
er and all friends, for so glorious an object as the exten- 
sion of our Redeemer's kingdom, and when the resur- 
rection morn shall come, may we not hope to meet our 
friends in a world which knows no change, forever to 
dwell in the home of the blest 

With reference to his brothers he remarks, you know 
that when the Lord called me to leave my business, it was 
with many tears that I gave up the idea of educating my 
brothers, but God has been better to me than either tears 
or fears. How unsearchable, &c. But dear sister, they 
have no hope in Christ. 

Come my Cynthia, let us pray God for them and don't 
ask anything less than that He should make them faithful 
ministers of Jesus Christ. I find, God is just as willing 
to do great things for us as He is small, and the more we 
ask, if we ask aright, the more He loves us. * * * 

In looking forward to the work in which I design to 
labor, I tremble at the thought of appearing before the 
bar of God, there to give an account how I preach. Not 
less fearful is that also, of addressing in tlie name of 
Christ my fellow men. Had I the views of the apostle 
Paul, I could cheerfully go forth with the assurance that 
God would bless my efforts ; but who can do any good 
in preaching with such a heart as mine. I feel that all 
I am and all I possess is the Lord's, and that my life is to 
be sacredly devoted to his cause. I am aware that I can 
do nothing without the assistance of divine grace, and that 
I have abused all the blessings which God has bestowed 
upon me. Still, I cannot think of going back — and if 
I stand still, I shall only be a curse to the cause, — 
therefore go forward I must or perish. The subject of 



44 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

self-denial, has occupied my mind very much since my 
return from Massachusetts. The great majority of pro- 
fessing christians appear to have just as much self-denial 
about them, as they can have and gratify all their selfish 
desires and appetites. Many say, what I have, is mine, 
I therefore have a right to eat, drink and wear what I 
please. If religion does not consist in loving God with 
all the heart and our neighbors as ourselves, and if these 
affections do not manifest themselves by our actions, I 
know not what evidence we have to think we are christians. 
It seemte to me also to be very inconsistent, for christians 
to talk about loving Jesus and yet have no desire, conse- 
quently put forth no effort that others may enjoy the same 
blessings. Many say, that I err, in carrying the principle 
of self-denial to so great an extent, but if I am in an error 
I am with Judson, with Paul, and I think I may safely 
say with Christ. When I mention the name of our Sav- 
iour as an example of self-denial, I blush and am ashamed 
of my own. Oh Jesus, are there none to walk in thy 
footsteps? Help me, Lord, to follow Thee. 

It seems from his own account, that the same abstem- 
iousness of living still marked his course, only more rigid 
if possible — boarding himself, &lq,. With reference there- 
to, to his sister he remarks — never have I enjoyed better 
health, never was more thankful, never, if I am not de- 
ceived, felt so much for the cause of Christ, and never 
was permitted to come so near the mercy seat as at the 
present time. 

1833, Jan. 6, Sabbath morning. — I have for the week 
past been collecting some Missionary intelligence to pre- 
sent before our christian friends, and it sets my soul on 
fire, to go forth and bear the toils of a Missionary life. 
What a poor world this would be to live in, had we not 
the privilege of laboring for Jesus. What are all the 
social enjoyments of friends compared with the blessedness 
of preaching the gospel to the heathen. 

Again he says, God in his providence has so ordered 
that I cannot go far hence to the Gentiles, unless He sees 
fit to remove the obstacle now in the way. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 45 

In referring to his views and feelings respecting those 
with whom he was called to labor, it seems that the oh' 
stacle preventing him from turning his attention directly 
to the "heathen world," was found in the obvious and 
therefore imperious necessity of laboring at home in his 
own native land. Still he held himself ready and willing 
to obey the call of God wherever it might lead him. — It is 
perhaps enough, that he possessed the spirit of a Mission- 
ary, for God only requires the heart, with submission to his 
will. 

Feb. 18, 1833. — I have of late felt more anxiety about 
being filled with the spirit than ever before in my short 
life — I have seen many ministers who appeared to know 
and say many things in themselves excellent, while the 
spirit of God seemed not to be with them, — and I have ob- 
served that all such men do not seem to have their labors 
blessed of God, while the more ignorant and unlearned 
who possess piety of heart are blessed abundantly. These 
with some other things have been visible witnesses to me 
that unless one is endowed with the Holy Spirit, he can 
be of no use as a servant of Christ. Then follow his hours 
of retirement and study in his little Bethel, (as he was 
wont to term it) into whose sanctuary I would not farther 
intrude. Suffice it to say, such was his idea of prepara- 
tion in rendering himself able to "impart the word of life 
skillfully" and with success to others, aside from mere 
technical theology. 

Hamilton, Feb. 28, 1833. 

My Dear Absent Sister, — I have this P. M. received 
your letter, and while I have been reading and thinking 
where the person who wrote it labored, I have felt to say 
with the Psalmist, " Oh that I had wings, then would I fly 
away" not to "be at rest," but to lead the poor heathen to 
the Lamb of God. 

Never, my dear, did you appear so precious to me as at 
present. I loved you when we thought not of God, be- 
cause you was my only sister, — but now I love you because 
I see you putting on the image of Jesus. I love you as a 



46 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

sister, a christian, and a missionary. Believe me when I 
tell you, I esteem you too much to wish you even here. 
Every time I think of you, I feel more and more to say, 
Oh Jesus, spare her and permit her to labor for the Indi- 
ans, and bring us at last to dwell with Thee. 

Relative to separation from home and friends, he adds, — 

There is a consolation in the thought, that Christ will 
help us to overcome those affections that would debar us 
from his service. True, we must pray much and "wrestle 
with the angel of the covenant" — but soon he will say, 
your name is Israel, for you have prevailed with God. In 
view of the work of the Missionary, we need neither fear 
nor despond, for it must and will prosper. The more we 
become like Christ, the more the powers of darkness will 
rally their adherents to obstruct our way, but what are all the 
wicked men and devils and evil passions combined, to hin- 
der us when we have an Almighty Christ to intercede for 
us. In view of the agonies in the garden who would not 
labor, and with a bleeding Jesus before our eyes, who 
would not deny self and suffer all that earth and hell can 
inflict, for the privilege of telling the poor heathen about 
so dear a Saviour. Dear sister, go on, — my soul says go. 
Keep the glory of Christ and the worth of deathless spirits 
in view, and God will nerve your arm for the conflict 
while on earth, and at last receive you to his embrace in 
heaven. 

Mar. 3d, 1833. ' I sensibly feel my unpreparedness to 
write you, and were it not that you are my only sister, 
and were you not expecting me to write I should lay aside 
my pen, but bear with me if I am not as much like Jesus 
as yourself Realize that I have not loved Jesus as long 
as you have, and if we had grown in grace every day — you 
would have been at an immense distance in advance. But 
sister, the more I see of the loveliness of Christ the more 
I long to be like him. I do not desire so much to go to 
Heaven now and be clothed in his likeness, but I want the 
humility, devotedness, self-denial and self control, and love 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 47 

for dying sinners which he possessed. I see so great a 
want of personal piety in myself, and in far too many of tha 
servants of Christ already in the field, that I almost despair 
ever being of any use in the vineyard of my Master. We 
must feel as did one of old when he said, " rivers of water 
run down mine eyes because men keep not God's law," 
and then when we address sinners we shall see the effect. 
Jesus could weep — and Paul could weep in view of the 
condition of sinners, and cold must be the heart that re- 
fuses to feel when called to address those who are more 
than eighteen hundred years nearer the judgment seat. 

During a temporary visit of his sister home, he writes 
the following. 

Hamilton, July ith, 1833. 

Very Dear Sister, — By your letter of the 26th ult, I was 
happy to learn that you were at home, but happier to 
know that you are soon to return to the wilds of the for- 
est. You say you would be happy to see me, and I assure 
you I should be happy to spend a few weeks in your soci- 
ety, yet I know not that it will be consistent for me to 
gratify that desire. Believe me, when I tell you it is not 
because I love you the less, but a sense of duty alone 
keeps me from my parental abode. Dr. Bolles from Bos- 
ton was here, when I received your letter, and after know- 
ing your situation and that of brother Meeker and wife, 
said that if brother M. had prepared a new alphabet for 
the Indian language, he would have .to stay in Boston 
until a new font of types could be cast, which would 
probably detain him five or six weeks, therefore, as you 
doubtless know what brother M. is expecting to accom- 
plish, you can easily judge whether he will be detained 
longer than you wrote me or not. Brother and sister 
Wade are here teaching four brethren and five sisters the 
Burman language. Brother and sister W. appear to live 
as they have so often (by their letters) said that others 
should. 

My Dear Cynthia, bear with me if I raise a warning 
voice, for I assure you I do it with the best wishes of my 



48 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

heart. I do not imagine that you have overcome all the 
inclinations of the natural heart, even though you have 
become a Missionary, — neither do I think you are above 
temptation, therefore just permit me to say, that as you 
have seen the vanity of the vain trash of earth, so I hope 
you will show by all your intercourse with others, that 
you esteem it of too little worth to have your attention 
even for an hour. Manifest the same self-denying spirit, 
whether among heathen or sitting amid the splendor and 
pomp of an enlightened society. You may perhaps be 
presented things, which would not be consistent for you 
in your present situation to receive or use — in such a case 
try to act the part of wisdom. I sometimes think, that 
many christians think more of seeing and pleasing Mis- 
sionaries than of pleasing the Saviour — to such, say with 
one of old, " Behold the Lamh of God icho taJceth aicay 
the sins of the world V There is one other way in which, 
if I mistake not, the devil will try you — and that is, by 
getting persons to intimate to you, or tell so that you may 
hear of it, that you are very pious and Christlike — but I 
pray you listen not to such insinuations, for if you do, I 
can tell you by sad experience, you will be deceived. Do 
not understand me by these remarks, to think you are 
destitute of piety, — for this is not the case, but I do not 
think you are as free from sin as our Master Jesus. With 
very little piety we may be called pious by a majority of 
professing christians, but let us ever remember, that it is 
vastly different with us in the eyes of a holy God. What- 
ever be your situation my dearest sister, live so near the 
Saviour that you can say, *' none of these things move me." 
AndnoWjI commend you to God, hoping and praying, that 
through his grace you may be enabled to live above the 
flatteries or frowns of this deceitful world, and that while 
on earth you may ever be found faithful in the service of 
our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Concerning the reasons, for denying himself this last 
and only privilege of seeing his sister in this world, he 
thus writes : 

I am extensively engaged in Sabbath Schools in Madi- 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 49 

son, and if I should leave they would doubtless lose their 
interest in such a degree that many children who have been 
taken from the paths of vice would again return. We 
are also preparing the most flourishing school for a pub- 
lic examination, and I cannot leave should our object be 
accomplished. There are other young men better quali- 
fied to conduct Sabbath Schools than myself, but there 
are none acquainted in that town to whom I dare resign 
ray place ; furthermore, some of my children begin to feel 
that they are sinners, and how can I leave them ? I know 
that I should receive much benefit from a personal inter- 
view with you, but I cannot go unless duty seems to re- 
quire, and this is what 1 know you wish me to consult. 
Weep not, sister, for if we deny ourselves this gratification 
for Christ's sake. He will gratify us with the blessed influ- 
ences of his spirit, which is far superior. I say then, my 
dear sister, go on and labor for the good of the perishing 
heathen, and if I never see you again on earth, may I meet 
you in heaven with the fruits of your labors and the crown 
of your rejoicing. 

The Mission Family. 

Having received instruction from the Board to leave 
St. Mary's and remove west of Mississippi river, Cynthia 
had embraced the opportunity, while preparing for the 
expedition, of returning home. After spending four 
weeks, (in the words ot her mother) * she then took her 
last andj^waZ farewell of us all,' and joined her co-laborers 
at Cleaveland. They left that place during the summer, 
and directed their course to the Shawnee Mission, N. W. 
Frontier of the State of Mo. On the last of October, '33, 
Mr. Merrill and wife, with Cynthia, proceeded on their 
route for the purpose of visiting new tribes, for the same 
benevolent end. With two young men for guides, they 
pursued their way through a trackless prairie, inhabited 
only by wild beasts and Indians. They were out a num- 
ber of days longer than they anticipated, and consequently, 
became reduced to a very scanty allowance of provision 
They lay at the Platte river four days before they could 
5 



50 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

cross, on account of the wind and ice, with nothing but 
their tents to cover them, and those afforded but a slight 
protection. On the 5th day they crossed and arrived at 
the settlement of the Ottoe Indians, where they forpied a 
new station. 

In allusion to these circumstances of trial and suffering 
he is led to exclaim, how sweet must be the cold that is 
endured for Christ's sake. Oh how luxurious the hunger 
that is felt for the sake of carrying the gospel to the 
heathen. 

* EXHORTATION TO HIS SISTER. 

Be not faithless but believing, for " it is through much 
tribulation that we enter the kingdom of God," and al- 
though "clouds and darkness are round about you," yet 
retain an unshaken confidence in God, and He will pro- 
vide. Lift up your head and rejoice in the God of your 
salvation, and continue to go on cheerfully in teaching 
the perishing Indians. Flesh and blood may fail, but 
only to give life immortal to the soul. Let others do as 
they will, but may we labor and die to bring the souls of 
men to God. Farewell. Abel Brown, Jr. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Labors in Western and Central N Y. for the promotion of S. Schools — 
Leaves Hamilton and studies at Homer — Becomes a Lecturing Agent 
in the cause of Temperance. 

In addition to previous efforts in the cause of S. 
Schools, he now labored continuously, for three succes- 
sive years, in the same benevolent enterprise — pursuing his 
studies at intervals as time and opportunity would allow. 
He seemed to deem it sufficient in his Theological course, 



M£MOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 51 

to have entered the school of Christ, whose matchless ex- 
ample, was illustrative of the principles he taught — and 
as His disciple, he endeavored to conform his life thereto; 
receiving the doctrines of Inspiration as of literal import 
and direct application in all the walks of life — when with 
too many, those same truths were received as accompanied 
by great difficulty, sacrifice and self-denial ; these however, 
he never looked at except to brave. He therefore went 
forward as one having a divine commission to preach 
wherever and in what way the indication of Providence 
might lead him. Preaching on the Sabbath relative to 
the utility and practicability of S. Schools — then survey- 
ing the ground of operations, visiting families, conversing 
with children in the high ways and by ways, and indeed, 
in these actual observations, he found ample scope for 
missionary effort, even in the enlightened State of N. Y. 
A few citations from his well stored journal will suffice in 
relation to this part of his career. 

Hamilton Institution, — 

Nov. 4:th, Sabbath Evening. 

Have just returned from Brookfield where I have been 
engaged in efforts to promote the welfare of the youth in 
that section. The parts visited are destitute of S. School 
instruction and most of the oeoole are willino- to remain 
thus. Had the opportunity of addressing the first church 
on the subject of S. Schools. Soon as I mentioned my 
intention of speaking in behalf of this cause, some began 
to gaze with a jealous eye — and when I commenced the 
subject eight or ten left the house, unwilling even to hear 
concerning the nature and object of this Institution. 
Those who stayed gave good attention, and before the close 
of my remarks many wept, and others seemed to say, I 
will do something to relieve the dear children in our land. 

Nov. 10th. This day have again visited B , and 

there rode from district to district, and ascertained the 
situation of the children residing within those limits. 
The whole town, a few districts excepted, is a mora! 
waste. Professing christians are cold and indifferent. 



52 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

My heart is pained, in looking at nearly seren hundred 
children in that place, growing up without any of the re- 
straints of the gospel. 

His sermons show him to have been welt furwished to 
the good work, and should have met with the hearty re- 
sponse of every s professed iover of Christ; and this was 
the case in those places where the subject was fully un- 
derstood and appreciated. But the ignorance and preju- 
dice attending the introduction of this system, form a 
strange contrast to the zeal and enthusiasm vi^ith which this 
Institution was hailed at a later period in almost every 
portion of Christendom. 

When wearied with exertion, and faint vnth toil in the 
arduous duties of his calling, he says — there is a happi- 
ness in retiring to the forest and there rolling off the bur- 
den which my soul feels for the youth of this country 
upon the Savior, 

Nov. 24th. This has been to me one of those days of 
hard labor, to which every person who is engaged in the 
cause of Christ is subject. Have been at Nelson, Cazen- 
ovia, Eaton and Woodstock. In these towns there are 
hundreds of children gro\ving \x^ destitute of religious in- 
struction. How long it will be thus, time only will de- 
termine; as for myself, I cannot cease my efforts, until 
hey are difFereDtly situated^ 

Institution — Sunday JEve, Dec. 8th. 
Last Sabbath I spent in Smithfield and had the pleas- 
ure of tarrying with Mr. G. Smith. I bad seen the man 
in public ami in private, in both of which places he is to 
be admired and beloved ; but far more in his family does 
he exhibit the father and the christian. His conversation 
was replete with interest and instruiction, and his singing 
was " with the spirit and understanding." He read the 
Scriptures with reverence and godly fear, and prayed as 
if filled with the spirit of Christ. With delight on Sab- 
bath morn he went into the S. School, and with the sim- 
plicity of a child, did he talk to the children of Jesus and 
urge them to repent without delay. Mr. Smith is one of 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



53 



the few men who possessing great natural and acquired 
talents is equally at home in the councils of State and 
with the little child, as with a paternal hand he would lead 
it to the fold of Christ. 

The S. School in Peterborough is well conducted, and 
where many souls have been born of God. 

Dec. 19th. This day has been one of deep anxiety for 
the impenitent. Have had free access to the mercy seat 
and some faith in God, that he was about to pour out his 
spirit without measure upon this place (Hamilton.) Visi- 
ted S. School at 9 o'clock A. M. and had the privilege of 
talking to the children. Many wept over their condition, 
others seemed thinking deeply, and eight or ten have 
lately given themselves up to Christ. The female teach- 
ers especially, are agonizing for the souls of their Schol- 
ars. Attended church at eleven, and this evening — and 
have preached to an assembly about two miles distant, — a 
deep solemnity seemed to pervade the audience and I felt 
as though God's spirit assisted me. Jesus seems more 
and more precious, the closet a paradise, and praying a 
casting off of my anxieties upon Jesus — there I find peace 
indescribable and faith which takes hold of the promises 
of God. 

Again he was led to view himself as expressed in the 
following extract from his journal. 

God has seen fit to teach me that I have not even had 
the form of godliness. I have labored by night and by 
day to benefit my fellow men. I have prayed for them 
with a feelmg of sympathy even unto tears, but that I have 
had any thing more than human sympathy in trying to 
pray, I do not much doubt — or that the glory of God in 
these exercises has been my object, I do as much doubt. 
I have prayed, because it was a privilege — and I have 
labored, because I longed to see my fellow beings in a 
better condition, and could not bear to see them following 
the downward road to perdition. True, I have not wished 
to engage in any thing but the service of Christ, but my 
views of a holy consecration have been as great as the 
heathen have of the true God. But blessed Savior, I 
5* 



54 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

thank thee that the spell is broken, and that Thou hast 
raised my mind and enlarged my views of thyself and 
word, and that I now no longer see Thee at a distance, 
but that I can dwell in thy presence and feel thy spirit 
pervading my inmost soul. J am less than nothing — 
Christ is all in all. Thou hast taken the clay and used 
it thyself, whilst the vessel has been striving against Thee 
— but here am I — form. Oh form me to the image of 
Christ. Oh Savior, drive from my soul every thing but 
Thee. 

Oh how heavenly is the place of prayer — for certain 
it is, that God is there. 

At another time he seemed to himself " like a man who 
stands at the entrance of a delightful garden, gazing with 
supreme delight upon its pleasantness, but is not pre- 
pared to walk in its beautiful alleys." The christian often 
ieels the necessity of consecrating himself anew and anew 
to the love and service of his divine Redeemer, and as he 
passes on ** from perfection to perfection,*' the former 
seems nought to his present attainment. But the true 
idea of cosecration as here presented, was an entire re- 
nunciation of self to the will of God, and a feeling of ut- 
ter helplessness in himself alone, and reliance on Christ, 
not only as the Author but Finisher of the work of grace 
commenced in his heart, to his complete and final salva- 
tion. 

So much more vivid were his conceptions, that he felt 
that he had entered anew the divine life " a life of giving 
up all to God, and living for Him." He says, I have for 
years thought that the gospel of Christ demanded that 
men should deny self, but never have so fully realized it 
as at present. It appears to me that if the spirit of God 
is to dwell with me, I must eat, drink, sleep, talk and think, 
and act with direct reference to his glory. God not only 
demands that I should preach for his glory, but that in 
the smallest transactions of my life I should have his 
glory in view. God has so far enabled me to overcome evil 
that I can, in most instances, govern my words and actions, 
but these sinful thoughts disturb my peace. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 55 

In these seasons of delightful communion with God, 
which He so graciously condescends to vouchsafe to the 
children of men, he was led to the following reflections. 

This world has no charms, the society of friends is not 
inviting — every thing but Christ and his cause has dwin- 
dled to a point. Those who wish for worldly honor, can 
have it, but to me it is vain and contemptible. 

Of his friends he says, " dearly as I love them, could I 
sit down with my father and mother and brothers in fami- 
ly converse, or were 1 permitted to see my sister in her 
Indian hut, they could yield me no comfort, for they could 
not hold intercourse with God for me, which alone can 
render me peaceful and happy. Christians are prone to 
think too much of themselves and too little of their fellow 
beings. la one of these delightful exercises of contem- 
plation, he suddenly exclaims — but why should I allow 
myself to be thinking so much of my otcn enjoyment, 
while this earth is filled with misery. Oh ye who seek 
after honor, pleasure, ease or riches, how low and debas- 
ing are your joys. You despise the joys of the drunkard, 
in like manner do I despise your foolish pursuits. Oh 
how pitiable is your condition, seeking pleasure where 
misery alone dwells Why will you thus debase your no- 
ble powers ? You think yourself rich, but Oh how poor. 
For you I weep, and for you will I pray and labor. 

About this time he left Hamilton (having received a 
regular dismission from the Institution) and removed to 
Homer, to pursue his studies under charge of Eld. Whit- 
ing. In view of the responsibility of his calling as a min- 
ister of Christ, he was often led to exclaim, " if it be 
possible, &/C." Still (he continues) I dare not cease, but 
how can I see men reject the gospel and meet them at the 
judgment seat and witness against them? Yet who could 
" hold his peace," while men all around are so unlike 
even the resemblance of holiness. One thought has 
very much occupied my mind, namely, how I can bear to 
say " amen " to the sentence of condemnation pronounced 
upon my fellow beings, without having made the mighti- 
est exertion to turn them from sin. 



66 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

Extract from a letter to his brother Lyman under date 
of Aug. 24th, 1834. 

Thirteen years of your life are gone — 

and every moment of them which you have spent in idle- 
ness is lost — and you never, no never can live them over 
again. If for a moment you will reflect on the amount of 
time you have spent in play, I think you will very much 
regret that it was not better improved. Had you been as 
industrious as many boys of your age, you now would have 
been able to read the Greek Testament with as much flu- 
ency as you can your Virgil. Can you not see how much 
time you have lost? Make then every possible effort to 
improve what remains. Every moment, is a part of all the 
time which God has allotted you. Therefore, let each mo- 
ment be spent in preparing for future usefulness. Do you 
enquire how this object can be accomplished ? This, my 
brother, is what I wish to teii you. You remember that 
from our earliest days, our dear Father has daily com- 
mended us to God in prayer. He has done this because 
he has ever known that we could not live unless God sus- 
tained us — that we received our breath from God ; also 
that he daily gave us our food, health and all the blessings 
of which we were the recipients, — and he also knew that 
God could take away these blessings and our lives, at any 
time. God also numbers even the hairs of your head and 
watches over you when asleep and when awake — and has 
preserved you from a thousand dangers, of which you 
knew nothing. He also sees you when you are studying 
your lessons, and at all other times; you indeed cannot 
see God, but He is nearer to you than any thing you can 
see. Now, as God is all around you and hears all that 
you say — and sees all that you do — and knows all your 
thoughts, how careful you should be to think and act in 
such a manner as will please Him. If you would thus 
meet His approbation and be useful, you must study your 
lessons ; not that you may be a great man, a fine poet or 
an eloquent orator, and thereby gain applause — but that you 
may improve your mind, and obtain knowledge, and there- 
by, be able to learn more concerning God, and better 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 57 

serve Him. Study to fill your heart with the love of God, 
and the love of those beings of His creation around you, 
and be satisfied, to be no greater scholar or finer gentle- 
man, than these tempers will make you. 

Consider, that every ignorant person and wicked boy 
that you see, is your brother, — and instead of despising, 
love him,^for he was made in the image of God and if you 
hate him, you also hate God who created him. Never 
think or study how you may obtain the most money or be 
the most honored, but how you may do the most good. 
There are many other things, concerning which, I wish 
to write you, but I must omit them for want of time. 

From your Brother, 

ABEL. 

To his Mother he writes the following : — - 
I received yours, of the 10th inst., and read it with 
pleasure. I am glad you are so careful to correct every 
seeming error of your sinful son- — but rest assured, all 
your fears are groundless. H. must have received his 
ideas from the fact that Prof. Whiting and myself some- 
times hold a controversy upon a subject, concerning which, 
we think alike — sometimes he takes the wrong side and 
sometimes I do — ^just for the sake of argument and better 
preparing myself to advocate the truth. I have at times 
advocated the doctrine of Universal Salvation, that I might 
thereby be shown its errors. Concerning the doctrine of 
the sinner's coming to Christ, we have the same opinion, 
only I do not know but that I am the strongest Calvinist. 
I am very far from believing that the sinner can or will 
believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, unless the Holy Spirit 
enlightens his mind and changes his heart. I never advo- 
cated the doctrine only as above stated 

Why should I pray, if" I had renounced the Holy Spir- 
it?" Concerning my plain manner of preaching, I have 
only to say, that to God I stand accountable. I hope, ray 
Dear Mother, you will not regard every report that the im- 
pure breezes waft along, but first try to ascertain the truth, 
and then make me pay one and six pence for a good and 



'58 MEMOIR OP ABEL BROWN. 

kind reproof. I hear many stories concerning myself and 
others, which I know to be false, but they do not trouble 
me in the least. I have heard that I was expelled from 
Hamilton — when I have a regular Dismissal ia my pocket 
— but I never even take pains to contradict such reports ; 
and now my dear parents pray much for me. 

Yours, in the hope of Heaven, 

ABEL. 

In studying the New Testament in its original language, 
he remarks — there is an excellency in the Scriptures dis- 
cernable only by those who possess the spirit of their Au- 
thor. From his Dissertations also, it is obvious, that he 
valued the Scriptures as the medium oi communication 
between God and man in making known His will and 
character, and therefore, claiming preference j over any 
other *' moral science," to his attention. 

With reference to his feelings for the impenitent at this 
time, in comparison with those at a former period, he 
says — then I could weep profusely over the condition of 
men — though much of this was a sympathy not the entire 
fruit of the spirit — but now, the distress of my soul is 
such, that I cannot weep ; tears indeed might prove a mo- 
mentary relief, but their flowing will not unburden my 

soul. I think T rntl <?«-•» '»«V/7, 'Rrt^il " n rn-nQ^rtint Jtontyi^ 
-« y ^v.„v ^ V.-.,, ^ ^ 

ness of spirit" S^c, 

Since gratitude is ever coupled with true humility, he 
was led to exclaim, in view of his unworthiness — " It 
seems as though God was about to humble me with His 
mercies." At another time, he says, I have so much con- 
fidence in God, that I think, severe aflictions would prove 
the most kind blessing, yet I may be mistaken. Still, if 
I would only ** get low enough in the dust," blessings 
would flow through rough channels. 

Dec. Ith^ '34, Sunday Evening, 9 o^ clock. 
This day has been to me one of some labor — have rode 
about 28 miles to ascertain the condition of the children 
in this County. Christ's gospel seems very precious to 



MEMOIR OP ABEL BROWN. 59 

night. The path of self-denial is also desirable. I would 
have the privilege of walking in it. O may I die daily, to 
every thing but 'J'hee and Thy cause. 

Passing over similar accounts to the one above stated, I 
will myself give a Compendium of his labors, from his S. 
S. Journal. 

Homer, Apr. 20tJi, 1835. 

Spent from 7 until 10 o'clock, in collecting money and 
adjusting accounts, for the examination of the Board — 
from 10 until 4 o'clock in visiting poor families in Court- 
landville — saw much misery — met the Board at 4 P. M. 
Of one place visited, he says, the inhabitants appear to be 
given up to cursing. From thence I went two or three 
miles N. W. through a part of the town, where I am glad, 
no one lives. In writing of one congregation, he says, I 
became convinced that some of them were opening their 
eyes about half way to the importance of the subject. Their 
Pastor, Elder P., is really engaged in the good cause, but 
having formed his habits and manner of action in a dif- 
ferent age from this, and having other excessive labors to 
perform, he can do little more than talk to his people in 
favor of the object. He will encourage any cause, calcu- 
lated to make men better. Among the obstacles in his 
way, he says — There being such a multiplicity of denom- 
inations, that think it not proper to unite with any sect ex- 
cept their own, renders it exceedingly difficult, for the 
friends of S. S. to advance the good cause. 

Truxton, Sunday, Apr. ^6th, 1835. 
Addressed the Presbyterian Church in A. M., and the 
Baptist in P. M. — met the friends at 3 o'clock, and formed 
S. S. Teachers and friends of S. S. Association in the town. 
The Officers are, — a Methodist, President, — Secretary, 
a Presbyterian, — Treasurer, a Baptist, and the Direct- 
ors, were also from the different sects ; all of which Of- 
ficers, constituted an Executive Committee. In his excur- 
sions he did not fail to visit the most obscure villages, 
seeking the abodes of vice, poverty and wretchedness, 
that he might impart the words of instruction to the igno- 



60 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN 

rant, administer the kindly warning, and gently reprove the 
erring, and to alleviate the woes of the suffering. Many 
affecting cases of the last named class are given ; one in 
particular, of an elderly man who lived with his daughter 
— she ** dependent on the care and protection," and he on 
the hospitalities, of a drunkard, (her husband.) After 
united prayer and conversation, the old man gave glory to 
God, for the friendly call, and the woman disconsolate and 
weary with watching beside the sick among her little ones, 
felt her hopes brightened and her strength renewed, by the 
unexpected visit. Thus in visiting families to ascertain 
their condition and want of religious instruction, he was 
led to see the misery of Intemperance, and immediately 
enlisted in the warfare to extirpate an evil so direful in its 
consequences, proving alike destructive to man's moral 
nature and to the relations he sustains to his Maker, and 
to his fellow beings ; thus forming a mighty obstacle to 
the progress of truth and christian effort. He according- 
ly, sought every opportunity to portray the evil in the light 
of its own hideous deformity, by detailing facts from his 
own personal observation, and urging the necessity of ref- 
ormation. Pledges of co-operation, were often given by 
devoted individuals, to sustain and forward this noble un- 
dertaking. In the rallying contest, to the soldiers of the 
cross, he seemed to say, as Lord Nelson inscribed on the 
Banners of his army — I expect every man to do his duty ; 
and something was done (the Lord be praised) in the de- 
liverance of thousands of poor, ignorant, and even de- 
graded children in those sections of country wherein he 
labored, raising them from the paths of immorality and 
vice, to respectability and usefulness in society, and it is 
hoped, that to many, such efforts extended even to the sal- 
vation of their souls. These were beneficial results, to 
say nothing of the reflex influence on parents and S. S. 
Teachers in the work of instruction. 

As a sample of his usual manner of rest^ the following 
is an indication : 

May 20th, 1835. 

Returned to Homer and found myself so much fatigued 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 61 

that it was necessary to rest one day. Spent it in writing 
Report for the Board and in reading general intelligence. 
Attended Temperance Meeting in Cortland Village in the 
evening. 

From a general survey of S. Schools throughout the 
country, in one of his Lectures he remarks : 

The destitution of the 458 counties upon the Atlantic 
slope may be learned in some measure, from the fact, that 
in the counties of Madison, Cortland, Cayuga, Erie and 
Chautauque, there are about 80,000 children, and only 
about J 8,000 of them were in S. S. one year ago, and as 
many as 30,000 of them were destitute of either moral or 
religious instruction. Having been through all the coun- 
ties except Erie, I am sure, that there are as many as the 
30,000 who do not attend meeting or S. S., and have no 
religious parents to instruct them. 

From his Journal, it appears also that he visited places 
in other counties contiguous to those mentioned. During 
the entire period of his labors in this cause, he also en- 
gaged in various Agencies for the dissemination of books 
and periouicals — collectively, forming a valuable auxiliary 
to the institution of S. Schools, wherever established. 

As a Licentiate Preacher, belabored in Oswego, during 
the Summer and Autumn of 1835. Under date of Sept. 
21, he writes : 

Attended a Prayer Meeting at Eld. Saw- 
yer's. Brethren and sisters seemed to pray anew. My 
own soul was more deeply roused than ever, to pray for 
sinners here. Oh, how precious the souls of men appear- 
ed. Brother Norfleet, a colored man and minister, was 
present. He sung and prayed in his good negro slave 
style, Sunday morning, preached in the Baptist church. 
In the afternoon the house was filled and all in a mass, 
looked me direct in the face and perfect stillness pervaded 
the audience. Eternity was the subject. They all thought 
for the moment, and then I fear the world rushed in again. 
The dear old man seemed filled with Jesus' love, and all 
were interested in him personally, if not with his subject. 

*' He whom the truth makes free, is free indeed." 
6 



Ua MERIOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

In a subsequent letter to his sister, (then a Missionary 
at Bellevue) a particular friend of the subject ot this 
memoir, writes the following, under date of 

Sept. Wth, 1834. 

I received a letter from Abel a week since. He was 
well, and in his usual good spirits. Perhaps, it may not 
be wrong for me to say to you, that your brother is tend- 
erly beloved by me. Four long years since, when I was a 
child, I gave him my heart, with a promise of my hand 
when I should be old enough ; and never for one moment, 
have I repented of that promise on my own account, and 
a fearful change must come over me, ere I ever shall. I 
never have spoken to you on this subject, for I dared not 
begin, but have many times wished you would ask me, 
had the subject occurred to your mind, and then I should 
have told you all. If I have done wrong in speaking to 
you so freely, or if it seems to you unmaidenly, forgive 
me, and think it an error of the head and not the heart. 
After relating her recent experience in religion at that 
time and her joyful anticipation of seeing Abel, she re- 
marks, I can now appreciate his worth. 

From her superior education and intellectual endow- 
ments, united with her disposition to serve God, she was 
eminently qualified to unite in any benevolent enterprise, 
destined to elevate and bless her fellow beings, or raise the 
fallen from the paths of vice and degradation. In this de- 
voted lady (Miss Mary Ann Brigham) Mr. Brown found a 
valuable assistant in the cause of Temperance, in the col- 
lection of facts, visiting families, &:.c. Accordingly in the 
Autumn of 1835 she accompanied him to Auburn, on his 
agency in behalf of this cause, and was kindly received 
and sustained by the friends in that place. 

The following letter will serve to show the light in which 
her labors were appreciated : 

Albany, Oct. 15th, 1835. 
Abel Brown, Jr. : My dear Sir — I have just received 
and read with the most lively interest, the narrative of facts 
signed by Miss Brigham. Allow me to thank you both, 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



63 



in the name of our Society and of our common humanity, 
for this labor of kindness and love. May you both hear 
the welcome plaudit — " I was sick and in prison and ye 
visited me." Oh that the healing and restoring influence 
of the Temperance reformation, could be borne into all 
those abodes of consummate wretchedness ! Oh that ?^o- 
man, wherever dignified and elevated and blessed by the 
heavenly influence of Christianity, would lend her aid, to 
bear that influence onward, until all the dark places of the 
earth shall have been enlightened, and all its miserable 
sinks of sin purified ! To this end let us toil without 

ceasing 

I remain vours truly, 

EDWIN JAMES, 

Cor. Sec. N. Y. Tern. Soc. 

While no feeling but that of gratitude was felt and 
expressed on the part of friends in the cause of Temper- 
ance, a very different sensation was produced among those, 
engaged in the ungodly traffic of selling spirituous liquors, 
the venders as also those who were made victims, to this 
degrading vice, and sold to beastly intoxication. 

A short account of the affair, is found in his Journal, 
penned some months after the occurrence, in connection 
with that of similar treatment at a subsequent period : 

I was whipped by a grocery keeper, last Fall in Au- 
burn N. y., also assaulted and seized in the street, and an 
attempt was made to drag me from the house or cowskin 
me in the same, and at last was forced to leave the place 
or submit to the fury of a mob, headed by a number of 
grocery keepers ; among whom were Jonas Brown, Fred- 
eric I. Clute, Thomas Munroe and others of a similar 
stamp. 

My '' crime'^ was that of visiting about one hundred 
Drunkards' families, and telling to the community their 
wretchedness. 

The Mob pursued me about eight miles. I left my con- 
veyance and fled to the woods, and was hunted for until ten 
o'clock at night. At one time they came within thirty 



64 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



feet of me. I often prayed for them and felt confident, 
that God would deliver me, yet I felt deeply the impo- 
tency of every thing but God to sustain me. I trembled, 
and often found myself saying, " they will have you yet." 
I never before could sympathize with David, when perse- 
cuted by Saul. 

In a description of these scenes to myself, he said, that 
about 11 o'clock A. M., the mob collected, consisting of 
some five hundred persons, surrounding the hotel where 
he was, and that in consequence of a man rushing into the 
house to seize him, the Inn Keeper became alarmed for the 
safety of his house, and ordered Mr. Brown to quit, conse- 
quently, he was obliged to make his way directly through 
the assembled multitude ; yet on account of his smallness 
in stature and swiftness in running, passed unobserved, and 
succeeded in reaching the conveyance in wait for him. 
On reaching a certain distance, as previously stated, he 
was overtaken by a man on horseback, who was employed 
for the direct purpose of taking his life. Those who were 
with Mr Brown, had taken the precaution to fill the vehi- 
cle with clubs, &c , as weapons in case of an assault ; 
and Mr. Brown said he thought, how easy it would be for 
them to take the life of this highway assassin — ^the next 
thought, that struck his mind, was the awful fate attend- 
ing such a soul in Eternity. The man thus employed to 
commit the deed of violence, seemed also to relent. Mr. 
Brown, therefore, considering him as a hireling in the 
business, offered him five dollars to leave him, and then 
fled for the woods and was pursued, as before stated, until 
10 o'clock at night ; making a twelve hours chase from 
the starting point at eleven in the morning. 

Rev. C. Van Loon, in allusion to the affair, told me 
that in taking lodging for the night at a house, he was re- 
ceived by the inmates, as a supposed convict from the 
State Prison, and harbored with the intention of returning 
him the next morning to Auburn. A satisfactory expla- 
nation, probably averted the design. 

Friends were not wanting at this juncture of events, ta 



MEMOIR OP ABEL BROWN. 65 

assist and sustain Mr. Brown, in his efforts thus to ad- 
vance the cause of Temperance. 

Among the numerous letters of sympathy addressed to 
him at this time, is the following : 

Albany, Sept. 9th, 1835. 
My Dear Sir : — I rejoice, that you have been persecut- 
ed for righteousness sake. It is one of the instruments 
God uses to advance His own glory, and we should rejoice 
to be His instruments, no matter how much we suffer. 
You can with great propriety congratulate jne on this point. 
The persecution, I am now enduring is tremendous, and 
I have to withstand it almost singlehanded, except that I 
feel that God is working for me, and will support me in 
the opposition. I am now enduring from wine drinking 
Christians, Rum sellers. Beer makers, &c. &-c. I pray 
God for counsel constantly. We must all seek direction 
from Him. But to the subject of your letter. Send us, 
my dear Sir, your Manuscript at once. We dare publish 
any thing that is true, avoiding personalities, and if these 
tales are of the character you name, they may be made a 
blessing to the nation. Should we conclude to publish 
them, we shall scatter them to the four winds. The time 
has come for increased effort, and we are prepared to in- 
crease our labors in any way and every way to promote 
the great work. We are now circulating almost millions 
of documents gratuitously, and we are trusting to Provi- 
dence for the means — we never yet have trusted in vain. 
Should we publish your documents, then I suppose those 
who have desired their publication, and have subscribed, 
will help us. 

I am, dear Sir, 

Your Brother in being persecuted, 

E. C. DELAVAN. 

An Address to the Public, was also issued, commenda- 
tory of the course pursued by Mr. Brown, and relative to 
the attendant circumstances of those riotous proceedmo-s, 
from which, the following is an extract : 

** Mr. Brown, of whose good moral character we have 
*6 



66 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN^. 



sufficient testimonials, came to this village a few weeks 
since, with a view of making it a temporary residence. 
Being warmly enlisted in the principal benevolent opera- 
tions of the day, and particularly in the Temperance re- 
form, and Sabbath School institutions, he determined to 
exert himself in the promotion of these two philanthropic 
objects in our village. Accordingly he proposed to visit 
personally the groceries, where, in open violation of the 
law, spirituous liquors are daily sold, to investigate their 
character — company, — and amount of sales — and from 
thence, by correct estimate, and actual observation, to trace 
directly the influence of the traffic on the families of their 
customers, and indirectly on the inhabitants of the entire 
town. And having obtained these facts, he designed at a 
general meeting of the citizens to lay them before the pub- 
lic, in the hope that these details of the misery and vi«e 
existing in our midst, would excite more activity in the 
cause of temperance, and thus remove, or mitigate that 
most fruitful source of evil, to our beloved country and 
village — Intemperance. 

Whilst visiting the abodes of the poor and wretched, he 
also proposed to procure relief for the suffering and des- 
titute — to secure the attendance of children at some one 
of the village Sabbath Schools, and enlist the feelings of 
the parents in the support o{ these institutions. 

These were the objects, and these the motives that 
prompted Mr. Brown to enter upon a work so arduous and 
self denying. The very objects and the very motives, 
though exercised upon a diminished field, that prompted 
the immortal Howard, to trace to their miserable habita- 
tions the loathsome victims of vice and debauchery — to 
seek out and visit in their own wretched hovels the sons 
of poverty and distress. 

He made known these intentions to a few individuals, 
who encouraged him to proceed, and accordingly he had 
been engaged for weeks in prosecuting his labors — when 
on Thursday the 27th of August last, being then prepared 
to lay the facts he had obtained before the public, a paper 
was forcibly taken from his hands in our streets by cer- 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROTVVJ?. &t 

tain individuals, and publicly read: Which paper, being a 
private memorandum, contained a list of drunkards, of gro- 
cers, names of families upon whom he designed to call — 
in relation to the objects he had in view. To which actu- 
al enumeration, rumor and mistatement added the names 
of other citizens, all of whom were represented as includ- 
ed in the same catalogue of confirmed inebriates — which 
names also it was confidently affirmed were designed to be 
published. Such rumors and false stalements having soon 
gained general credence, an extraordinary commotion en- 
sued, and Mr. Brown, without trial, was held forth and 
denounced as a libellous scoundrel and disturber of the 
public peace. A few who considered themselves particu- 
larly aggrieved in the heat of the temporary excitement, 
not mindful of the salutary laws of our land, attempted to 
inflict summary punishment by a resort to personal vio- 
lence, from which attempt however, we are happy to say, 
he providentially escaped unharmed. And we are still 
more happy to be able to state, that some of his most de- 
termined opposers have since in a spirit of commendable 
candor and honesty, acknowledged their error, and ex- 
pressed a regret that by a momentary ebullition of passion 
they were betrayed into so great an excess. 

The above is a correct and unprejudiced statement of 
the grounds of the recent disturbance — and we are there- 
fore prepared to make the positive declaration, that tlie ex- 
citement originated in no sufficient cause, but sprung sole- 
ly from false and erroneous representations. That he de- 
signed to collect and publish facts in referance to Intem- 
perance, we have said — and to this no friend to the gen- 
eral cause of humanity could object — but that he intended 
to publish names, we deny upon his own authority and as- 
sertion previous to the disturbance. He refused repeated- 
ly to give the names to his most intimate friends — declar- 
ing that he considered himself honorably bound to some 
poor families from whom he obtained facts not to reveal 
names, and that he never would be guilty of such a breach 
of faith — and of this determination his friends at once saw 
and acknowledged the propriety. Should any think that 



bo MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

the mere having in his possession such a memorandum, is 
an evidence of his intention to publish it — we would sim- 
ply ask how any person, being a stranger, could collate and 
properly arrange a mass of facts relative to individuals 
without a memorandum ? 

Thus, then it appears manifest, that the charge instituted 
against Mr. Brown, of an intention to libel our citizens , 
and create an unwarrantable excitement, is groundless. 

Should it be said, that the manner of obtaining these 
facts is highly objectionable, as it is a disingenuous method 
of prying into the secret concerns of families, and an offi- 
cious intermeddling with the affairs of others ; — we would 
observe, that the character of such procedure depends, 
very materially, upon the motives which prompt to the in- 
vestigations in question. What patriot, what philanthro- 
pist can object to the efforts of benevolence for the relief 
of misery, how delicate soever the circumstances, with 
which it may have relationship ? All our sympathies, the 
spirit of benevolence, and the word of God, in which that 
spirit breathes pure and heavenly from the Throne of The 
Highest, urge us to the abode of wretchedness and wo, to 
weep with those who weep, to sooth the anguish of broken 
hearts, and to guide the young and helpless into the paths 
of virtue, respectability, and usefulness." 

A sample of the facts were also given, of the most thril- 
ling description, and the Report was signed by eighty in- 
dividuals, whose names will be held in everlasting remem- 
brance, by the lovers of Temperance. 

Some months subsequent, he writes the following letter ; 

Fredonia, Feh. Ut, 1836. 

My Dear and only Sister : — You still share in the af- 
fections of my heart, although I was married to Mary Ann 
Brigham on the fourth of December last. I am laboring 
in the Sunday School in this County — during the present 

winter Mary Ann's health is better than 

formerly, and my own is almost perfect — heat and cold, 
winds and storms are alike to me. 

The churches generally, are declining in 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 69 

piety, but God is raising up some Ministers, valiant for the 

truth, and there will be a reaction 

All my S. S. efforts seem to be blessed. There is good 
coming out of the Temperance, Anti-Slavery, and Moral 
Reform Society. The cause of Christ is rising in our 
land; there are a noble few who fear none but God, who 
are marching boldly on. We expect opposition, but God 
sustains us. We have mobs, &c., but all does not deter 
us. I have been publicly mobbed, cowskined, knocked be- 
side of the head, and assaulted five or six different times 
during the year past, but God delivers me, and puts all 
mine enemies to confusion. Our laws here are not our 
strength — " God is our refuge and strength," &c. Some of 
the whiskey manufacturers talk of whipping me, but I 
fear them not. All goes well with me, long as I pray. I 
have been talking Temperance during a part of the sum- 
mer, and have endeavored to show the manufacturer and 
vender, that they are chargeable with the sins of the drunk- 
ard, and this makes some repent and others to gnash 
their teeth. . . . There are a host of children, com- 
ing under the influence of religious instruction The 
cause of Anti-Slavery has very much opposition, but it is 
advancing and will soon prevail. The truth will always 
prosper. I am an Abolitionist in the full sense of the 
word, yet I have found little time to say or do much in the 
cause. Labor on, my dear Sister. My dear wife sends 
her kind regards, and all send hearty love. Adieu. 

ABEL BROWN, JH, 



70 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Preaches at Westfield, N. Y. — Trials and persecution — Is publicly whip- 
ped, &:e — Labors in Pennsylvania — Lectures in behalf of the Ameri- 
can Anti Slavery Society — Au Epistolary Address to the Senior Class 
of Hamilton Institution. 

The ensuing Summer, Mr. Brown was located at West- 
field, in the work of the Ministry, some account of which 
is found in his Journal at this period. 

Westfield, July 23^, 1836. 

For a {ew days past, have been in deep 

distress. Have before been whipped and pounded and 
hunted like the fox, by men more savage than wild beasts, 
and have had afflictions of various sorts, but never any 
thing that took hold of my very life, like the present. In 
prayer all is light, but elsewhere, all is dark. I have al- 
most wished for death. 

Have this day been making some enquiries relative to a 
religious Newspaper. The Pulpit and Press, with few ex- 
ceptions, are silent, in reference to the sins of Adultery, 
and to Intemperance, in many cases, and Slaveholding — 
and but few men, do or say, more than what public opin- 
ion will sustain. As for real and entire consecration to 
Christ, there is little, except in name even among those 
who preach. Alas ! Alas ! Too true. For myself, I am 
ashamed, also for my Country and People. If I preach 
and live according to the truth, all men will hate me. I 
seem to be known and hated now, by many — or men seem 
to hate to hear about their own sins." 

After giving an exposition of Bible truth in reference to 
prayer, at a preparatory lecture, he remarks-^ — The truth 
was highly commended, but I fear, a very few, if any, will 
obey it. Enough are always found to commend the truth, 
but few to live in accordance thereto. 

July 28th. 
In the morning. Elder Zenas Freeman called. Had a 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 71- 

pleasant interview. Brother F. informed me of the spec- 
ulation now in progress among the Ministers. The church- 
es and leaders seem to be going after the world. The 
minister, who spends a portion of his time in business 
transactions, cannot spend the same time in preaching 
'^ Christ i iucifiedy The Apostles thought it not fit for 
them to leave the ministry (or preaching " Christ cruci- 
fied") to even serve tables for their brethren, although 
some were neglected — and can it be best for ministers 
who have most talent, to devote so large a portion of their 
time to this work of gain ? How would Paul have ap- 
peared attending auctions to buy land, and how do minis- 
ters appear now in pursuing a course directly opposite to 
that of Paul. The right course seems clear — " a single 
eye to the glory of God," in the conversion of sinners. 

Sunchnj, Aug. 21, 1836. 
Preached in A. M. to Baptist and Presbyterian Churches 
in Presbyterian house in Westfield. Text — Luke 3; 15. 
Pleasant state of mind during the exercises. All heard. 

Aug. 23d. 
Attended the Anniversary of the Chautauque Co. S. S. 
Union at Maysville. Talked temperance in the evening. 
As I went from the house to my lodgings, saw ten or fif- 
teen men around a poor drunkard. The tavern keeper 
had sold him liquor until he could not walk alone, and 
then thrust him into the street. I could get neither house 
nor place for a long time, where any one would take him ; 
at last, found a barn to which I led him, and he was laid 
on the hay until morning. He repented and confessed in 
the morning, and went home. 

Sunday , Aug. 28th. 
At 5 o'clock, lectured at Portland Har- 
bor. At half past 7 o'clock lectured at Westfield. Con- 
gregation large and solemn. Text — Eternity. A drunk- 
en man hallooed in the street, and disturbed the congre- 
gation until the cause was ascertained. He had been 
whipping his wife. 



72 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

Westfield, Sundmj, Nov. 6th, 1836. 
Having received an invitation from the Presbyterian 
Church to preach in their house, the brethren of the Bap- 
tist Church thought proper to accept the same. In A. M. 
used as a text, " Rebuke a wise man and he will love 
thee." Showed the duty of Christians in reference to re- 
buking sin, and rebuked the sin of Gambling, Whiskey 
making, and other public sins. 

Nov. 9th, 1836. 

This evening while walking through the streets of West- 
field, was attacked by Doct. C. Jones, who struck me about 
thirty or more times, with a rawhide. 

I felt while he was inflicting the blows, calm and com- 
posed. Christ held my spirit, as quiet as when sitting by 
ray own blessed fireside. My eye was injured by the end 
of the whip. The Doctor cursed and swore awhile, and 
commenced whipping again, but the blessed spirit kept my 
heart and lips. After my return home, had an hour of 
sweet communion with God, and could pray with a sin- 
cere heart, for him who inflicted the strokes. I have not 
even an unkind thought, although I was rather severely 
whipped. 

There were ten or fifteen of the most enlightened hat- 
ers of God about me, while I was receiving the lashes. 
They all seemed thunderstruck, and one (a Lawyer) who 
has threatened caning me, became as gentle as a lamb, 
and said to one of his fellows — " I should not think it 
possible, for a man to endure thus, and not become en- 
raged !" 

The reason assigned for whipping me was, that I had 
slandered him in the pulpit. I had been preaching against 
gambling, and the Doctor considered himself slandered. 

Sunday, Nov. 13M, 1836. 
Being earnestly pressed by the Presbyterian minister, 
(Mr. Gregory) preached in the Presbyterian Church, to 
the congregations united. The house was filled. The" 
text — Rom. 12 ; 19. The congregation listened attentive- 
ly. A class of Infidels, Gamblers, Adulterers, and Rum- 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 73 

sellers, and Haters of God, hraving banded together, pass- 
ed resolutions to whip, tar and feather, and otherwise 
abuse me. Bro. Gregory felt anxious to identify, publicly 
his interest with mine — and after service, said — '' Togeth- 
er we live or die." 

Mr. Brown continued to preach in Westfield and vicin- 
ity, for the space of several months, notwithstanding the 
opposition he was obliged to surmount, often being threat- 
ened with similar treatment in other places, by those who 
gloried in his having been whipped. 

His sermons were not harsh, bitter or invective, but 
scriptural, full of point and seasonable rebuke. 

The solemnities of eternity, afforded him a theme of 
warning and instruction to his hearers, in view of the final 
retribution of the wicked. " Christ weeps over Jerusa- 
lem," one evening, formed the subject of his discourse. 
In accordance with which, he says, " ray heart was deep- 
ly impressed." 

Westfield, Dec. 9th, 1836. 

Dr. C. Jones : Very Dear Sir — " Prepare to meet thy 
God" is a warning given by God himself; and that I may 
not be found unfaithful to one, who has, unintentionally 
perhaps, caused me to hate evil and love Christ more ar- 
dently, I remind you of this awful, awful injunction. 
Since the unhappy evening, in which you were left to sin 
against God so openly, I have felt extremely anxious that 
you should be converted and become as a little child. 
You have not injured me in the sight of God, and whatev- 
er man may say, is of little consequence. It will be but a 
few days, before you and myself will stand before the 
judgment seat of Christ. Are we prepared ? For myself, 
I frankly say, that the thought of meeting a holy, holy 
God, causes me to tremble. The sacrifice of Jesus, af- 
fords me the only consolation. " The blood of Christ, 
cleanseth from all sin." Therefore, I have some hope, 
yes, 1 have a perfect hope, that I shall eventually dwell 
with Christ. 

Will not you, my dear Sir, repent of your sins and 
7 



74 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

ask pardon through the blood of Jesus. " Though hand 
join in hand, the wicked shall not- go unpunished." 
Your sincere friend, 

ABEL BROWN, JR. ; 

[Dr. J. whipped me November 9th, 1836.] 

North East, Pa. Aug. 9th, 1837. 

Have been laboring at Westfield until 1st 

of May, when I expected to have gone to Ohio — even 
marked and started my goods — but those who owed me 
could not or would not pay me, therefore, was compelled 
to stop. The brethren at this place, entreated me to set- 
tle, and sent for my goods and brought them about the 1st 
of June. 

While in Westfield, enjoyed some of the love of Christ. 
Mr. G. forsook me, when my cause became unpopular, 
Poor man, may the Lord have mercy on him. 

When I came to this place, I found about thirty hearers 
upon the Sabbath, Church divided, and every thing but 
real heart piety abounding. 

Have usually talked to four congregations on the Sab- 
bath, and at present superintending two S. Schools beside. 

I feel myself, a poor vile sinner, unfit to 

do anything, and deserve to be condemned for not saying 
or doing much more. 

His preaching was of that stamp, that his hearers could 
not easily occupy a neutral position. 

Concerning them he says — Some profess- 
ors greet me with apparent delight, others are very outra- 
geous, and leave church before I hardly begin to speak, 
&-C. A revival of deep and extensive interest (through 
the blessing of God) seems to have been the result of his 
labors at this period. 

Aug. 11th. 

He writes — Visited Erie, saw Brethren Bakers, and 
made arrangements for forming a County Domestic Mis- 
sionary Society. 

On the 30th September (following) attended the Annual 
Meeting of the Erie Co. Domestic Missionary Society. 
Preached the opening sermon. * Behold the Lamb of God.' 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



75 



North East, Pa, Nov. 16<A, 1837. 

This day was ordained. Father Geo. Sawin made the 
Ordaining Prayer. He appeared to pray in the spirit. 
Felt calm daring the exercises. Eld. Wm. T. Boynton 
preached the Sermon. It was such as the occasion re- 
quired. 

Sunday, Nov. 19^/i, 1837. 

In the morning attended S. S. at half past 10. At 
noon baptized. * * In P. M. lectured two hours, in 
behalf of the American Anti-Slavery Society. In the 
evening, preached at Freeport. 

From his correspondence, at this time, it is obvious that 
he was much engaged in devising plans, &/C., to forward 
the cause of the slave. 




The following Epistolary Address will serve to illustrate, 
in some measure, his views and feelings relative to the 
duty of Christians, in the upholding and sustaining the 
ein of oppression and robbery, in the form of human Sla- 
very. 

North East, Erie Co. Pa., 

Oct. 30M, 1837. 
Messrs. Ira Corwin, E. E. L. Taylor, Wm. Everts, and 
others, late members of the Senior Class, in the Col- 



76 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



legiate department of the Baptist Literary and Theology 

ical Institution at Hamilton, N. Y. : 

Dear Brethren — The acquaintance which I have en- 
joyed while a Class-mate with you, has given you a ptace 
near my heart; and in thus publicly addressing you, I 
would honor the cause which we all profess to love, and 
if I speak of what I think your errors, I will endeavor to 
do it with kindness. 

You are watchmen UfK)n Zion's walls. You are to hear 
the word from God's mouth, and faithfully deliver the same 
to the people. You are not to shun to declare the " who>e 
counsel of God." Yoo have finished a Collegiate course 
of study — received the approbation of your Professors, and 
applause of the denomination of Christians, to which we 
hold membership. You are now about to enter upon a 
course of Theological studies, under the guidance of 
those Divines whom we have been accustomed to venerate. 

My object, in addressing you, is to endeavor to persuade 
you to leave that Institution immediately ; I do this, because 
I think you will sustain American Slavery, by continuing 
members of the Institution in its present condition. My 
belief is founded upon the following reasons : — 1st. That 
Institution courts the support of Slaveholders and their 
apologists. 

Slaveholding ministers and laymen frequently visit the 
Institution — great pains are taken to obtain their favor. 
Nothing is said to them respecting the sin of Slavery, or 
if it is mentioned, it is only to say that the circumstances 
justify its continuance. The contributions of Slavehold- 
ers are received. In return, your Professors go to the 
South, talk and pray, but hold their peace in reference to 

" the peculiar Institution" — Slavery 

Your Professors neglect to cry against 

the sin of Slaveholding. These men pro^fess to be Teach- 
ers of the pure Religion of Jesus Christ. Their station 
gives them an extensive influence. I learn from the min- 
utes of the last Triennial Convention of the Baptists in 
the U. S. held at Richmond, Va., that two of them were 
among the Speakers on that occasion. In the State of N, 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. T7 

Y., their influence is almost boundless. Indeed, it may be 
said, that the teachings of the Hamilton Professors are 
exhibited in almost every town in the State. If they neg- 
lect to hear the cry of the poor, ministers, less informed, 
readily think themselves excusable. Your Professors preach 
in behalf of the heathen, and correctly charge that man, who 
neglects the call of God through them, as lacking the es- 
sentials of piety ; and a prominent argument, presented by 
the Agents of your Institution when soliciting funds is, 
that young men are trained within its walls, to preach the 
Gospel to the benighted nations of the earth. And is it 
true, that those very Professors hold their peace, when two 
and a half millions of Americans are forbidden even the 
Bible ! 

You are forbidden speaking against the sin, or the right 
of free discussion. The evidence of this is, that an Anti- 
Slavery Society formed by yourselves and fellow students 
in the Institution, *' was dissolved by the Official request 
of the Faculty." 

You are permitted to form Temperance, Moral Reform, 
Missionary, Colonization and other Societies, and their 
merits have been freely discussed. You doubtless recol- 
lect, the public dicussion of the merits of the Coloniza- 
tion Society, when our departed brother, Ralph J.Brown, 
exposed its foolishness, yet the Professors entered their 
protest against his arguments, and sustained the ignoble 
enterprize. These various societies prosper, and their 
continuance is thought to be advantageous ; even weekly 
and semi-weekly discussions, are not only permitted, but 
considered useful. Time rolls on a little, and a few breth- 
ren form an A. S. Society. The Professors hear the 
news, and ** post haste," one of that venerable body, is 
sent with a stiffnecked request, that the infant A. S. Soci- 
ety be immediately dissolved. 

The reasons for dissolving that Society were, I suppose, 
simply these. Anti-Slavery principles were rather unpop- 
ular. The South universally hated them, and the North 
did not fear God sufficiently, to preach what they must ad- 
mit to be true. If the Society prospered, its member* 
♦7 



78 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWNr 

would be ranked among the Fanatics, and as the Profess-' 
ors were known to control the internal operations of the 
Institution, they of course, mu&t be considered as sanc- 
tioning the Society, and thus they also, yes, even the ven- 
erable Board of Professors of the Hanyjlton Baptist Liter^ 
ary and Theological Institution, with a double D. D. at 
their head, would be reckoned among the reckless fanat- 
ics. Methinks, such thoughts as these filled their migh- 
ty minds. There are Garrisony Tappan, Birney — good 
men — but over zealous, called fanatics by the world, and 
madmen by the Church. Our venerable names, noted for 
our candor and consistency — *' cool heads" — our reputa- 
tion will be gone, if it is once known that we sanction ab- 
olition. Again, it is not practicable. Slavery is a sin. It 
cannot be right to make property of a man, but it cannot 
be stopped all at once. Then, Abraham had servants. 
Again, there is the Baptist Denomination, just getting into 
lovely Union. Let the Presbyterian body fight Slavery. 
The Baptists have been contemptuously looked upon long 
enough. There are our Southern brethren, excellent 
men, good Christians. Our beloved Baptist Zion, it must 
not be distracted. Our Institution, just insuring the con- 
fidence of the Churches. Our candid and stable friends 
will leave us. '* The gospel will destroy Slavery." O 
Lord, Thou great Head of the Church, direct us. Give 
us wisdom to check this abolition spirit in the bud. 

Whatever might have been the reasons assigned, caus- 
ing your Faculty to dissolve that Anti-Slavery Society, it 
is certain that it was a worldly policy, a bending of the 
truth for the sake of gain, and to win the confidence and 
favor of the votaries of this system of oppression, in vio- 
lation of the dearest rights of humanity. 
Yours, &e., 

ABEL BROWN, JR. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 79 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Settlement at Beaver — Eeceives Appointment of Agency from the A. S. 
Society of Western Pennsylvania — Persecution— An attempt to throw 
him into the Piiver Ohio — "Delivers the Spoiled from the hand of the 
Spoiler" — Efforts to advance the Cause of the Slave in his own Denom- 
ination. 

While at North East, a Church was established, through 
his instrumentality, on Reformatory principles. Soon as 
this wasaccomplished, he left the Pastoral charge of the 
Church and received an invitation to settle at Beaver, a 
city pleasantly located on the Ohio. The call was accept- 
ed, at what date I am not informed. He chose rather to 
itinerate, fearlessly preaching the truth, than to establish 
himself in any one place by a time serving policy. Neither 
can it be expected, that a minister will long be tolerated 
in openly rebuking the sins of a people, in such a manner, 
that they cannot fail to make the personal application, for 
his preaching was of that character, that it seemed to 
speak like that of Nathan to David — '* Thou art the man." 
He continued to preach throughout that section as oppor- 
tunity offered. Additional sketches from his Journal, suf- 
ficient to show the assiduity and zeal with which he labor- 
ed, are given. 

Sunday, 'i5th, 1838. 
In morning attended Sabbath School at Bridgewater. 
At 11 and 2 o'clock attempted to preach. Prayer meeting 
at noon. Communion at 3 o'clock. At half past 4 went 
to Old Brighton, to lecture in the evening at Fallston. 
Felt very little in comparison with Christ, yet felt like 
warning men in view of the approaching judgment. . 

Sunday, April 29th. 

Have preached four sermons and attended two Sabbath 

Schools. At the S. School at Fallston, 9 o'clock A. M. 

Some liirge boys gathered from the fishing places, came in 

and were instructed with interest (to myself at least), and 



86 MEMOIR OP ABEL BROWN. 

more apparent interest is manifested in all congregations 
than on last Sabbath. 

I feel delighted in presenting the sublime truths of the 
Gospel, to the children of men, and although so vile and 
unworthy myself, yet I hope and expect a revival in this 
region. 

Sunday, May 6th, 1838. 

In the morning superintended the S. S. at Fallston. 
Good attendance and interesting. Children many of them 
gathered from ** the highways and hedges." Some quite 
large, twelve or fourteen years old, who could not read. 
Others quite intelligent. Tried to plainly warn these 
young immortals. At 1 1 o'clock preached in W. Bridg- 
water. At 2 P. M. in Freedom. Congregation full and 
attentive. At 4 P. M. preached in East Bridgwater. In 
the evening at half past 7 preached at Fallston. Visited a 
number of destitute families. Retired at 10 o'clock rath- 
er fatigued and feeling myself miserably vile and sinful, 
in view of my own heart. 

Monday, 7th, 1838. 

Spent most of the day aiding my wife. In the evening 
attended and lectured at a Temperance Meeting in Bridg- 
water. 

Sunday, 13th. 

Spent the day as usual. Attended five services — at 11 
A. M., and 2, 4, 6 and 8 P. M. ; also afS. School at 9 A. M. 

The following days of the week, attended an Anti-Sla- 
very Convention at Pittsburg. Lectured each evening to 
large assemblies. The same spirit was rife, that caused 
the burning of Pennsylvania Hall, whose walls resounded 
to the motto, " Virtue, Liberty, and Independence," from 
the 14th day of this month, until the evening of the 17th 
witnesssed its destruction, by a lawless Mob in that '* city 
of brotherly love," and State so dear to the memory of 
Franklin, Rush and others, among the earliest advocate* 
of Imman liberty. 

On the 25th succeeding, Mr. Brown received an ap- 
pointment of Agency from the Western Pa. A. S. Society. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 81 

Soon after, he relinquished his charge, as Pastor of the 
Baptist church in Beaver, and as *' a Minister in good 
standing," received a cordial recommendation from the 
same. 

He now devoted his time and talents almost exclusively 
to the cause of the Slave, zealously endeavoring to arouse 
and incite his brethren of the Baptist denomination to ac- 
tion. He was also employed as Corresponding Secretary 
and Agent of the Home Missionary operations of that sec- 
tion. 

He seemed ready to act at once, and determinately, on 
any subject involving the duties of himself and co-labor- 
ers, with reference to the question of that *' sum of all vil- 
lanies" — American Slavery. The following letter on a 
subject previously entertained and suggested by himself, is 
full of interest ; and was perhaps the dawn of a brighter 
day, both to the denomination to which he belonged, and 
the Slave of our country : 

Pittsburgh, Pa., Feb. ^th, 1839. 

Rev. Joshua Leavitt : Dear Brother — In the Emanci- 
pator of last week I see a proposition for holdmg a Baptist 
Abolition Convention. I think it very important that such 
a convention should be held in the month of May or June. 

The alarming demands of a slaveholding church require 
that immediate and mighty efforts should be made lest an 
avenging God overwhelm us in deep destruction. 

The Baptist churches in the South hold property in 
slaves, buy and sell men for the sake of gain, — even Bap- 
tists sell Baptists — part husband and wife — parent and child 
— advocate and sanction polygamy — rob the poor to re- 
plenish the treasury of the Lord — withhold the scriptures 
from those whom God has required to search them, — and 
then say that God has given them this liberty and requires 
it at their hands. Ministers, D. D's, commit these crimes, 
and even leave men and women to be sold at auction after 
their death. Baptists have been found on lynch commit- 
tees, who have beat innocent men contrary to the laws of 
God and man. Northen Baptists have quietly beheld these 



82 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWK. 

things, have fellowshipped and are still fellowshipping 
these ** dear southern brethren" — have sent their agents to 
the South, asked and received a part of the profits of these 
Christian robbers — received men-stealers into their pulpits 
— asked them to preach, pray and commune with them. 
The leading Baptist periodicals have been silent under the 
command, " Open thy mouth for the dumb," have excused 
slaveholders and censured those who '* rebuked them sharp- 
ly," have seen their own brethren driven from the house 
of God by brutal mobs, have opposed a faithful editor un- 
til he was shot down at his post, and then rejoiced that the 
martyr was not a Baptist minister. Baptist ministers, D. 
D's, and Theological Professors, have limited " human re- 
sponsibilities^" expelled young men who feared God more 
than mortals from their " Schools of the Prophets," utter- 
ed gag laws, and defended practices at which hell itself 
would shudder. These statements may appear harsh to 
many, but they are true, and even this is not all the truth. 
Transactions far more degrading have been exhibited by 
Baptists. Many good brethren are not aware that slavery 
16 thus sapping the very foundations of tfuth in our 
churches. They have supposed that such papers as the 
N. Y. B. Register, Gospel Witness, and Cross and Journ- 
al, published weekly a true account of all affairs of impor- 
tance occurring in the denomination. They have never 
once thought that they were upholding slavery. Very ma- 
ny professed abolitionists have voted to send delegates to 
the Triennial Convention, without even suspecting that 
they v/ere sending them as agents to welcome men-stealers 
into the bosom of our Zion, and thereby bidding them 
** God speed " How can the Baptist churches be aroused 
and enlightened upon this infinitely important matter ? Can 
it be done more effectually than by calling and .ittending 
a National Baptist Abolition Convention? In such a 
meeting the whole subject could be canvassed, at least as 
far as human power is concerned, — many of the Baptist 
papers would publish the proceedings — new papers could 
be established if necessary, and thus this subject would be 
brought before niost if not alj the Baptist churches in tho 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



North. The result would show whether the Baptists love 
slavery more than truth. My abolition brethren in the 
church, upon whom rests the responsibility of calling such 
a convention, if not upon us ? Most surely God hath 
committed this blessed work to US. Whi/ should we de- 
lay 1 Fifty thousand of our colored brethren in bonds ask 
us, Will/ ? 3,000,000, who have never heard of Christ, 
will soon meet us before the throne of God, and in the si- 
lence of eternity ask, Why? Will not an insulted God 
ask, Why ? And shall we, while the blood of Jesus is 
interceding for us, delay ? 

The place of holding such a convention is not very im- 
portant. I propose Albany, New York, Utica or Phila- 
delphia. Certainly many would meet at either place. 
Will not brethren Galusha, Tucker, Carpenter, Grosvenor, 
Ide, Colver, and others, immediately issue a call '^ 

I have no apology to offer for thus presenting this prop- 
osition to the public. I almost daily see the poor heart- 
broken slave making his way to a land of freedom. A 
short time since, I saw a noble, pious, distressed, spirit- 
crushed slave, a member of the Baptist church, escaping 
from a (professed Christian's) bloodhound, to a land where 
he could enjoy that of which he had been robbed, during 
forty years. His prayers would have made us all feel. I 
saw a Baptist sister of about the same age, her children 
had been torn from her, her head was covered with fresh 
wounds, while her upper lip had scarcely ceased to bleed, 
in consequence of a blow with the poker, which knocked 
out her teeth ; she too was going to a land of freedom. 
Only a very few days since, I saw a girl of about eigh- 
teen, with a child as white as myself, aged ten months ; a 
Christian master was raising her child (as well his own 
perhaps) to sell to a southern market. She had heard of 
the intention, and at midnight took her only treasure and 
travelled twenty miles on foot through a land of strangers 
— she found friends. I gazed upon her intelligent coun- 
tenance — I thought of the immortal but crushed intellect. 
That body which should have been the " temple of the 
Holy Ghost," had been, and was still intended by her mas- 



84 MEMOIR OP ABEL BROWN. 

ter to be a source of profit to him, realized even by the 
raising and selling of its fruit as would best promote his 
interest. But why should I write ? Have not the Baptists 
hearts ? Do they not hear the wailings of millions 1 Does 
not the wintry blast echo their bowlings 1 Will they neg- 
lect to act ? Will they forget the slave 1 Forbid it, slum- 
bering justice ! Forbid it, indulgent mercy ! Forbid it, 
Almighty God ! 

Will the editor of the Christian Reflector please pub- 
lish this coramsnication ? 

ABEL BROWN, Jr., late Pastor of 
the 1st Bap. Ch., Beaver, Pa. 

From a Report to the Executive Committee of the A. 
S. Society, under date of December 3d, 1838, 1 make the 
following extract : 

*' I have been laboring during the two past weeks in 
Beaver, Bridgwater, Old Brighton and New Brighton, 
Fallston, Freedom and Chippevvay. I have been in close 
action with the enemy. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 
was one continued row. A mob drove me from the house 
on Friday night. Saturday night I could not get to the 
house unless through showers of stones, and Sunday, the 
house was found nailed up, and during one hour the friends 
could not open it; after it was opened, it was found too 
late to address the people without infrmging upon the ap- 
pointment of the Methodists, which must not be done, even 
to save all the souls of the slaves. The mob in Bridgwa- 
ter was headed by . . . of the firm of ... . 
forwarding merchants, . . . merchant, . . . and 

. . . butchers. There were others concerned in 
the matter, but the two first named gentlemen, gave the 
" character and standing" to it. I suppose, perhaps, some 
went even greater lengths, than was anticipated by the 
leaders. Who threw the stones, I am unable to say, but 
stones were thrown. The house of a friend of mine was 
stoned, and his wife barely escaped being hit in the head, 
as the mob threw at me. The door was accidentally left 
open. It is hardly safe for me to walk in the street after 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 85 

dark. The cause of these things, is simply, because there 
is no minister in the place who opens his mouth for the 
dumb. The presiding Elder in this region, is one of those 
haters of abolition, of which the Devil should be asham- 
ed. There has been a great " Revival of Religion," 
among the Methodists in this place. I mean the religion 
of this age, not the religion y the Bible. I shall be heard 
even here, before many weeks, I am quite sure. I wish to 
state to the Committee, that it will be utterly impossible, 
for me to support my family with less than $700 per year. 
I am obliged to give my whole and undivided attention, 
and the best days and energies of my life, to the cause. I 
only regret, that I cannot do more. I must now be ab- 
sent from home (if the northern county meetings are held) 
until the first of Feb., with the exception of only one or 
two days. In the month of February, I hope to be oblig- 
ed to attend four or five county meetings. My family are 
so situated, they think it impossible to " board out." This 
is a matter however, that I leave with the Committee. I 
cannot think it my duty to leave Beaver, until I find a 
more needy and wicked place. I would give up the cause 
in this region, and seek the retired spot from whence I 
came, (which is proffered uie) if I was not sure, that it 
would be running away from duty. I know the truth will 
ultimately prosper, even here. Indeed, even the leaders 
of the mob, who on Saturday evening stoned me, are 
afraid to look me in the face. I have had a personal in- 
terview, with one of them this day ; he turned ghastly 
pale, and even these God defying ministers, seem ashamed 
of rhemselves, although I have not uttered a word, for or 
against them 

Of farther riotous proceedings, he writes the following 
letter, without date : 

Rev. Robert Crooks : Very Dear Sir — I cannot ex- 
press all the satisfaction and grief, I have felt in reading 
your short, instead of long, as you ? ay, letter, I thank God 
and take courage. Be assured, thai it will be of vast benefit 
to our common cause ; this, I know, is all the reward you 
desire. I intend having the three articles published in an 



86 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

extra sheet, and scattered through tliis region. It will 
probably be as well to omit your name and residence, as 
the effect here will be the same. 

Last night, I came home in deep distress. This morn- 
ing I received your letter, and it is indeed refreshing. 
While lecturing, on las.t evening, a ruffian rushed into the 
house, seized me by the collar, and started to drag me 
from the house. His associates who were in the house 
followed, but the friends of truth were too strong for them. 
As I went from the place I was stoned. There are a few such 
men among us at present. It was I think the enemies last 
struggle in that place (Brighton, Beaver Co.) I drop my 
pen, to return to the same house this evening and lecture. 

Some additional circumstances are found in another ac- 
count, probably retering to the same event during a series 
of meetings in Old Brighton, in the month of Nov., 1838 : 

Returning from the school house after 

lecturing, I was egged, &c. Sabbath following, preachtd 
to a large assembly in this place. On. Monday evening, a 
respectable audience convened. There was considerable 
excitement. I saw the mob as I passed up the street, and 
most of them soon followed me into the house. They ex- 
hibited their wrath, by tearing down a picture, posted for 
the evening's use. After prayer, I commenced speaking. 
The mob kept quiet, perhaps ten minutes, when a person 
entered the room in disguise. His face was either painted 
or false (probably both,) with large false whiskers. His 
savage appearance rather surprised me — quick as thought, 
he rushed towards me with a hideous yell — seized me by 
the collar, and in connection with some associates, attempt- 
ed to drag me from the house. " Making no resistance," 
the interference of his friends alone prevented the merci- 
less treatment in store for him, as the victim of their rage 
and malice. 

While residing on the Ohio river, it is said that Mr. 
Brown aided slaves in their escape from bondage. In- 
deed, all those who had been in the prison house of sla- 
very, and were in the act of fleeing from the tyrant mon- 



MFMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 87 

ster, ever found a welcome at his door and safety from the 
grasp of the pursuer. 

From a verbal statement given me by a gentleman from 
Va., I have the following account, (omitting names not es- 
sential to be given,) pertaining to the case of a young girl 
in Alexandria, District of Columbia : 

" Mr. R. (who gave the facts) was with Mr. Brown, and 
both labored to help her off. Air. B. went to Baltimore — 
met R. there. He had previously written to him (Mr. 
B.) at Beaver. The girl was conveyed to at Balti- 
more, through Mr. B.'s influence." 

" 'I'he advertisements were ahead of them, for her appre- 
hension. Officers were watching at the cars, and also at 
the steamboats. Mr. B. was in a very critical situation. 
Suspicion rested on Mr. B., by one of the principal slave- 
holders. He was detained there three days, concealing 
himself; then Mr. B. obtained a carriage, took the girl in, 
and drove off, about 7 o'clock in the evening, and went 
on to Little York. '' He was there arrested, and tak- 
en on trial. He disposed of the girl previous,, by putting 
her under the care of Mr. J. A trial was held, but no ev- 
idence being found, and Mr. B. not being obliged to con- 
fess against himself, (in the eye of the law,) he was con- 
sequently discharged. Mr. Brown contrived to have her 
(the alleged slave) conveyed on, during the trial, and she 
proceeded to Canada." Mr. B. was engaged also, in a case 
in Kentucky with Mr. R. A slavt; was conveyed from 
Louisville to Cincinnati, Ohio, through Mr. Brown's in- 
fluence. Many might have been aided, through his means, 
from the adjoining States, as his location afforded peculiar 
facilities for thus " delivering the spoiled from the hands 
of the spoiler." 

An attempt was made while residing in Beaver, to throw 
him into the river, by twelve men assembled for the pur- 
pose of thus taking his life. Mr. Brown had been lectur- 
ing on the evils of mtemperance. In relating the circum- 
stances to myself, he said, the mob surrounded him on the 
Ohio — that he stood fearless before them, looking them di- 
rectly in the eye and talking to them of the "judgment to 



88 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

come." They all quailed and faltered from their purpose, 
except one, who was very determined in his purpose, but 
was restrained by his fellows from committing ^ne act. At 
a meeting in the evening of the same day, those ungodly 
men presented themselves directly in front of him, as list- 
eners to the preaching of Mr. Brown, whose life a few 
hours previous they had essayed to destroy. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Receives Appointment of Agency for tlie Western Educatio-n Society- 
Leaves Pennsylvania— Visits Massacliusetts— Continues to Labor in 
the Cause of the Slave. 

April following, Mr. Brown received the appointment of 
agency for the Western Education Society, formed the 
year previous, and m which he had taken part in devising 
plans and forwarding operations, to carry into effect. 

The leading design of the Society, was to form " an In- 
stitution for the instruction of youth, in all tne various 
branches of a Collegiate and Theological course of stud- 
ies," on the basis of a free, moral and enlightened senti- 
ment, involving the reformatory movements of the age. 

The location of the Institution, in view, to be establish- 
ed at some eligible point on the river Ohio, communicat- 
ing, by the canal, with Lake Erie, and regions of the 
West. 

The College itself, to be instituted, controlled, and sus- 
tained by a body of men actively engaged in purifying the 
church from the contaminating influence of Slavery.. 

How successful in the result of their efforts, I am en- 
tirely unacquainted, but presume from the nature of the 
object, and the state of public sentiment, linked as it is 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 99 

with a proslavery conservatism (in this " Republican age") 
that the project was never fully realized, or if, as was the 
fact, that the auspices under which it commenced, were 
favorable, would there be found principle, self-sacrifice and 
perseverance enough to sustain such an enterprize. Cer- 
tain it is, however, that a joint stock Company was form- 
ed with a Capital of eighty thousand, about one half of 
which, (thirty-eight thousand) was taken up and the re- 
mainder, offered to the Eastern and Middle States. 

Writing on this subject, Mr. Brown remarks : There is 
a great necessity for a wholesale business to be done, in 
educating pious young men and women for the work of 
the Lord in the west. A small number will not answer. 
At least, ten thousand Teachers of common schools are 
now wanted, to instruct over five hundred thousand child- 
ren, now destitute in the valley of the Mississippi. I am 
overwhelmed with the thought — and that a nation is al- 
most sleeping over this subject, fraught with such moment- 
ous consequences. ***** 

One reason for starting a project, like that under con- 
sideration, may have been found in the alarming tendency, 
not only of a corrupt Protestantism, but in the increasing v 
population of the Roman Catholics at the west, with all 
their auxiliaries in the form of Churches, Colleges and Mis- 
sionary points of influence. The subjoined article written 
by Mr. Brown, contains an account of some of the obsta- 
cles in the way of progress, to advance the cause of eman- 
cipation and kindred efforts. 

The missionaries employed by the Catholics are men 
who easily ingratiate themselves into the affections of a 
community, composed of such materials as are found in 
many sections of the west ; and Jesuits as they are, they 
pass for kind, tender hearted and pious ministers, of our 
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They go into villages in- 
habited almost entirely by Protestants, and obtain Protest* 
ant churches and congregations, and there defend their re-^ 
ligion with such cunning craftiness, as to cause multitudes 
to admire. Some churches which are denied to Baptist 
*8 



i^SO MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

ministers and Anti-Slavery lecturers, are readily opened for 
Roman Catholic Priests. The Methodist Episcopal church 
at Wellsville, Ohio, has been repeatedly refused to Baptist 
ministers, also to the friends of the slave to hold a prayer 
meeting; and yet this church was opened last year to a 
Catholic Bishop, and such was his defence of the Catho- 
lic Church, and her blessed effects upon the nation, were 
so skillfully portrayed, that apparently all apprehension of 
evil results were allayed. From facts that have come un- 
der my observation, I am quite confident that many minis- 
ters in the west, would sooner aid and assist the Roman 
Catholics in their efforts to subdue the nation to the will 
of the Pope, than to suffer the Baptist Church, with its re- 
publican government, to be established upon that extensive 
field. The Catholics are taking possession, as far as their 
means will permit, of all the strong points, the large cit- 
ies, the seats of government, &lc. in the western States. 
They are at present, making a mighty effort to command 
the influence of the State of Illinois. They are erecting 
a College at its seat of government, thus preparing to win 
its Legislators to aid them in corrupting the morals, and 
debasing the minds of its future inhabitants. There are 
many other influences which hinder the progress of en- 
lightened Christian efforts in the west, but the most po- 
tent of them all, is that of an aristocratic and domineering 
priesthood ; that by their ecclesiastical power and personal 
influence, would prevent the people from hearing every sen- 
timent, but such as they approve. The leading men in the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and too many in the Presby- 
terian and Baptist churches, are of this stamp. These 
men, knowing that the truth would uproot them, make ev- 
ery possible exertion to keep it from the people. There 
are ministers who are known by reputation in this com- 
monwealth, as pious, devoted servants of God, who do not 
hesitate to connive at, and by their influence sustain mobs, 
rather than have the Truth, as God has revealed it, pro- 
claimed among them. Would to God, the Ba-ptist church 
was free from such men f ! 

Leaving Pennsylvania, on his way to the Eastern States^ 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. -W. 

Mr. Brown, in a communication to Rev. C. P. Grosvenor, 

writes the following under date of 

Rochester, May 16M, 1839. 

Dear Brother: — Since receiving your last letter I 
have been very busily engaged in forwarding our cause, 
on my way from Pittsburgh to this place. I have visited 
many warm friends, and not a few stern opposers. Many 
influential Baptist Ministers are determined to shut the dis- 
cussion of the subject of Slavery out of the church. . . 

I was told yesterday, by one of the most influential op- 
posers of abolition in the Baptist church, that the Faculty 
of the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution had 
resolved anew, that the students should not form A. S. So- 
cieties or discuss the subject of Slavery in that Institu- 
tion 

In reference to the appointment of Agents for the Chris- 
tian Reflector, he says, " They will all do something." 
There is, however, a determination on the part of many 
in this (N. Y.) State, to keep all ^4w;2-Slavery Papers, es- 
pecially Baptist, away. Some men go on as if determin- 
ed to die opposing the cause of Emancipation. 
Your brother, amid scenes of strife. 

* * * * 

To THE SAME. 

Ballston Spa , N. F., June Sd, 1839. 

I have conversed more with that class of 

ministers, who oppose the Anti-Slavery cause, and find 
most of them determined to sustain their ground. They 
say, slaveholders shall not be excluded from the church. 
They are also determined to sustain the " gag laics'^ at 
Hamilton and Granville Institutions, and the Baptist Reg- 
ister &. Co. in their neutrality. The ministers say, they 
are the servants of the Church and must preach what the 
Church says. This is especially the doctrine of the Ham- 
ilton Faculty. A. M Beebe Editor of the N. Y. B. Reg- 
ister, denies me a small place in his paper, even to state 
the principles upon which the Education Society intended 
to act. 



"9^ MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

He said that Institutions that permitted students to form 
Anti-Slavery Societies, should meet with no encourage- 
ment from him, and denounced us as a set of ultraists, do- 
ing more hurt than good. I see, we must as friends of the 
slave go on alone. Church and State have united with the 
devil to oppose the freedom of the slave, but go on, dear 
Brother, and in God's name you shall triumph. . . . 



CHAPTER X. 

Commission from the Massachusetts Abolition Society — Settles at North- 
ampton — Private Correspondence — Death of his Sister — Letter to C. P. 
Grosvenor. 

While in Massachusetts, he labored unitedly, in the 
Ministry and the cause of the slave. In the month of Ju- 
ly, 1839, he received a Commission from the Massachu- 
setts Abolition Society, and subsequently settled as Pastor 
of the Baptist church in Northampton. 

A few extracts from his correspondence at this period 
are given. 

To Rev, Elon Galusha. 

Sept 5th, 1839. 

I see by the Christian Reflector of yes- 
terday, that through your instrumentality, a number of 
worthy names have been attached to a call for a National 
Baptist A. S. Convention. I wish to inquire, whether the 
persons whose names appear in the Christian Reflector, as 
far as you have been instrumental in obtaining them, are 
believers in the doctrine — 

1st. Of the sinfulness of holding men as property un- 
der all circumstances? 

2d. In the duty of immediate emancipation without com- 
pensation ? 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. SlO 

3d. That Slaveholders should be excluded from the fel- 
lowship of the Christian Church? 

You will understand the reasons of this inquiry, when 
I say, that some of the persons whose names appear with 
yours, were bitter oppnsers of Anti-Slavery efforts, only a 
few months since. Will you tell the readers of the Re- 
flector whether they have been converted or not. 

Yours for the Slave, A. B., Jr. 

Bro. Grosvenor — You can attach my name to the above 
if necessary. I fear that many of the names are of the 
^^ prudent sort." 

Quotations from family letters at this period : 

Our dear Walter is vcri/ well. A noble 

little fellow truly as we think. .Mary Ann is usually well. 
She has been lecturing for the Moral Reform Society. She 
now has an invitation to labor for the New England F. M. 
Society. She will, if she can have time, do something in 
the cause I trust I was lately invited to ad- 
dress a large audience in Boston upon this degrading vice 
(licentiousness) — five hundred houses of Infamy in Bos- 
ton. We hope to accomplish something through the press 
&/C., if time is not otherwise occupied. 

I attend, upon an average, about ten meet- 
ings per week. My health is good, very good. 

There is now a tremendous opposition 

from these old Congregational churches, and the open hat- 
ers of truth, but all to no purpose. The Lord is with us, 
I trust. The Church are all united Our re- 
ligious denominations are beco/ning more and more con- 
formed to the world, and filled with the spirit of human 
expediency. Consequently we must be the more fiiithful 
in rebuking and reproving their hypocrisy. 

I have very few attachments on earth. Yet, I love my 
friends, but I dare not spend time to visit them. Indeed, 
it renders all society irksome, when I am not benefitting my 
fellow men. It is also hard for one to attend to my busi- 
ness transactions. Indeed, there are such multitudes perish- 



94 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



ino, that I cannot do less than labor without cea.sing for 
their conversion. I do not expect that the old superstitions 
of N. E. will last very much longer. They are withering 
before the truth. . . * . . 

I have no expectation of continuing here, longer than 
the Church can be sufficiently advanced to sustain the gos- 
pel. 

To his sister (Mrs. C. B. Mercer) then resident of Mis- 
souri : 

The cause of Anti-Slavery is marching 

onward. This is especially true in all the northern States. 
The slaves must be free. Yes, they will be free or death 
will overwhelm the nation. There are many abolitionists 
who will labor without any relaxation of effort, until sla- 
very dies. I hope you will not be contaminated by that 
vilest of all abominations — American Slavery. Touch it 
not, but pour the burning fire of truth upon it, whenever 
in your power. Make no terms with it whatever. * * 

On the Death of his Sister. 

Northampton, 3Iass. Nov. SOth, 1840. 

Mr. Reuben Mercer : Very Dear Brother — A letter 
from my parents informs me that my dearly beloved sister 
Cynthia, is no more. She was my only sister, and much 
I loved her, and earnestly did I labor to aid her to that 
place where you first knew her. Indeed, I feel the loss. 
Not that I mourn, for why should I, since God has thus 
appointed it. It was not because I loved her less that I 
aided her to depart to a land of strangers, but because I 
felt that I could not see her live without being useful to 
this lost and fallen world. I thought then, and still think, 
that I did what was duty, and I would that I had another 
sister to live and die, if God designed, under such circum- 
stances. Yours has been the lot to enjoy the society of 
her, whom I loved as I did myself, and I am quite sure 
that you have appreciated it. She was indeed, worthy of 
the society of a kind and generous friend. 

I have not been able, on account of an overwhelming 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. ^ 

pressure of duties, to hold a regular correspondence with 
you or my sister, but have heard regularly by my parents. 
I hope you will not give yourself to grief and over much 
sorrow. Death is common to us all, and we should daily 
be so conversant with it, as to be able to meet it with 
calmness and reconciliation. There is nothing about death 
that should really make us afraid, since Jesus Chnst has 
been with us in life — he certainly will not forsake us in 
that trying hour, and if He is with us all will be safe. 

I should be very happy to see you, and it would give me 
great pleasure to visit you. Should be very happy to have 
you visit this State. 

Permit me to say, that inasmuch as you have found 
pleasure in the society of one who is now taken from you, 
be not given to melancholy, but commit your cares to the 
Lord, and think it not criminal to secure the friendship 
and society of another, who may go with you through this 
wilderness world. I am sure I shall not think you loved 
my sister less. I make this remark and leave you to make 
your own choice, whether to live single or otherwise. I 
shall ever think of you as brother. 

But my brother, your dear and interesting wi^e is not 
dead. All there was about her that made her interesting, 
and that filled your mind with joy and satisfaction indes- 
cribable, still lives and will eternally live. That wife, who 
made your home an earthly paradise, has lost none of her 
sweetness. That which made all her form lovely, that 
which made her eyes to you more precious than gold, and 
her voice the music of heaven, still lives. All that is 
dead would never have been loved by us, had it not been 
the abiding place of that which never dies. You only 
think of that body, and of its loveliness, as enclosing the 
intelligence which made it all that was to you desirable, 
and you never would have wished its stay, if it had not 
possessed that intelligence. That is not dead, and that 
only was your wife. V\ hile that form was with you, therp 
was a constant struggling within it, a desire to look be- 
yond, an indccribable something, which was constantly 
seeming to say, " itnbind me, take off these fetters, cut me 



96 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

loose, let me expand and he with God, and dwell with Him 
— see His glory and know His greatness. This temple is 
too small for me. I am immortal, I cannot , thrive in 
mortality^' God has heard those groanings after life, 
— has struck off the clog and set the prisoner free, and now 
she is where there is nothing to retard her progress. She 
is beyond every influence that affects mortal life. She is 
lost in the boundless contemplation of God. You would 
not bring her back. How calmly she watches all your 
ways. Yes, she lives. Lives did I say? Poor word, it 
does not half express the thought. She reigns with God. 
I can almost hear her saying, husband weep not. Dry up 
all your tears. I am happier than you could make me. 
You were overwhelmed with grief when I leit that body 
which you so much loved, but to me it was the beginning 
of life. It raised the curtain which introduced me into 
this state of happiness, which to mortals I cannot describe. 
I cannot come back, but you can come here. Gabriel is 
here. Jesus is here, and is constantly saying, Father see my 
hands, my feet, my side. Forgive ! O forgive. Could you 
but see him once, certainly you would love him, for he is 
beyond expression lovely. 

Your Brother, 

ABEL BROWN, JR. 

P. S. I should be happy to have you preserve the writ- 
ings of my sister, as I desire to write a small volume for 
the S. S. library. Therefore, any writings of hers which 
you may possess, and any account which you may give of 
her life, sickness, and death, I should be happy to obtain, 
especially her Joiirnal. You will, of course, be willing 
that her friends should thus prepare a short token of re- 
membrance,' of an only daughter and sister. If you con- 
cur in this request or suggestion, I wish you would be so 
kind as to send such writings &/C., as may be of service 
to me to Northampton, Mass. If you could copy what 
you think would be of some interest on to two, three, or 
fonr large double sheets, you would be at liberty to send 
it by the mail If you cannot, please retain them until I 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 97 

can get them, or you have an opportunity to send them to 
this place, or to my Father at Prairie Village, or send by 
mail, if the postage is not more than two or three dollars. 
Please write me soon. Yours, &-c., A. B. 

In reference to the Annual Conventions of the County 
A. S. Societies in the western section of Massachusetts, 
under date of January, 1840, he writes : 

To C. P. Grosvenor. 

The Hampshire county meeting was at- 
tended by about 150 delegates. There were a number of 
ministers present, among whom I recognized our aged Fa- 
ther Nelson. He made a thrilling speech in favor of with- 
drawing fellowship from all slaveholding churches, and be- 
nevolent associations. The Missionary, Bible, Tract, and 
other societies, which ask and receive robbery for burnt 
offering, were shown to be unworthy of confidence, almost 
all of which are directly upholding slavery. The duty of 
christians, and especially abolitionists at the polls, was 
freely discussed. It was distinctly shown that God re- 
quires us to regard this cause when we vote. The wick- 
edness of sustaining such papers as the Boston Recorder 
and Christian Watchman, was clearly portrayed. 

In Hampshire county similar resolutions were discussed. 
That respecting withholding contributions from those be- 
nevolent associations, which ask and receive the " price of 
blood" into their treasuries, occupied about half of the 
time. It was stated upon authority which will not be dis- 
puted, that the A. B. of C. for F. M. held slaves only about 
two years since — that their missionaries had remonstrated 
with the Board, and had attempted to appeal to the church- 
es, respecting the wickedness of slaveholding, and against 
the reception of money kept back from the slave by fraud, 
and that the A. B. of C. for F. M. had suppressed the com- 
munication. Also, that the abolitionists had remonstrated 
with these servants of the church, and yet they were con- 
niving at the robbing of the poor. The A. Tract Society 
was begging for aid, professing to supply the destitute with 
the gospel, yet amid about 100 volumes of publications, 
9 



98 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

not a word had been said in behalf of the poor and op- 
pressed bondmen in America. The A. Bible Society was 
and is still, do. do. 

The A. Baptist Board for Foreign Missions had not on- 
ly asked robbery for burnt offering, and through their cor- 
responding Secretary, apologized and defended the Baptist 
slaveholders, but had sent a bold defender of slavery and 
an unrepenting slaveholder in heart, not in practice, to 
preach the gospel to the heathen — had made a notorious 
slaveholder president of the Convention, and still manifest- 
ed no repentance for their evil doings. I heard all this 
and more also, stated in a public meeting of hundreds. 
Are these things so? 

The Baptists in this region, are awaking to their duty 
concerning the slave. I hope the" watchman" will sound 
the alarm. May wisdom from above guide us all, is the 
desire of your brother in Christ. 

A. BROWN. 



CHAPTER XI. 

His Anti- Slavery Position — The Political Contest — Correspondence — 
Leaves Northampton — Subsequent Settlement at Sand Lake, N. Y. — 
Continuation of Letters. 

From the correspondence of Mr. Brown, it is evident 
that he had no sympathy, neither could he have had partici- 
pation, in the origin of the secession movement in 1840, 
in opposition to the original Anti-Slavery organization. 
He, however, firmly believed and sustained a system of 
political action, which formed the second issue of the new 
organization ; but not alone the ground of their separa- 
tion. In the right, dnty and privilege of waman to act, 
speak and vote in the cause of the slave, he ever believed 
and maintained. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 99 

In a letter addressed to the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery 
Society, January 27, 1841, he writes — that " the Hamp- 
shire County Society became auxiliary to the Massachu- 
setts Abolition Society the winter previous, in order that 
it might get rid of that " pestilent fellow. Garrison," and 
his (or rather Christ's) more humble doctrines of" Peace 
on earth and good will to men." A iew of the more in- 
fluential Abolitionists, were very anxious to be where their 
influence at the polls, and at the church, might not be re- 
tarded, by Garrison and his true-isms." This ground as- 
sumed, seemed less objectionable, and even justifiable at 
first, in the mind of Mr. Brown, who entertained a high 
respect for the piet 7/ of the churches, and especially of hia 
ancestral town. In reference to which, he says of North- 
amption : It seemed that " the place where I stood was 
holy ground." But alas, my confidence for once was mis- 
placed The time came for the exercise of 

that mighty instrument, political action. The Committee 
of this same County, not only did not sustain their pro- 
fessed principles, but used every effort to defeat those who 
were desirous to remember, (even at the polls), crushed 
and bleeding humanity ; many of them previously gave 
their nam.es to secure the election of pro-slavery candi- 
dates." 

" With one or two exceptions, the com- 
mittee sustain ministers, who do not open their mouths for 
the dumb, and who are among the neglectors of Anti-Sla- 
very efforts. Some members of the Committee, receive 
their spiritual food from, belong to, and sustain a minister, 
who is an open reviler of the Anti-Slavery cause at large, 
and a slanderer of the friends here, in particular. The 
church where they worship, is forbidden to those who 
plead for the slave." . . . . " Yet there are a few, 
who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 

In the political contest of 1840, Mr. Brown found oc- 
casion for open and decided reprehension ; and to the peo- 
ple of his charge, in the ministry, he did not fail, espec- 
ially, to warn and dissuade from attendance on those con- 



100 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

ventional exercises, in which log cabins, hard cider, and 
loud sounding hosannas in favor of " Tippecanoe and Ty- 
ler too," were the prominent features, and the only visible 
arguments of partizans of that period. He also engaged, 
in endeavoring to correct the false impressions of the pub- 
lic mind, with reference to the artifice employed to insure 
the votes of abolitionists. Such a course, in opposition to 
the popular current of the times, called forth the most 
severe opprobrium ; not only from private foes, but from 
the public prints — Professors of Theology and Politics, 
among whom were Prof Stowe, and J. C. Calhoun — ^no- 
ticing a speech delivered by him in Boston, bearing on 
some points, relative to this eminent statesman. 

The following letters from a correspondent, contains an 
exposition of Mr. Brown's course at this crisis of political 
excitement : 

FrederickshurgJi, Va., Aug. 17th, 1840, 
Rev. and Dear Sir : — I have seen in the newpapers, a 
letter addressed by you to " Mr. B. F. Hallett," upon the 
subject of a letter, which had been circulated privately at 
the North, written by a member or members of Congress, 
"by authority from Gen. Harrison," &c. And I have also 
noticed since, in some of the papers, accounts that a »^«?> 
ton outrage had been committed upon your person — that 
you had been insulted and abused, &c., inconsequence of 
some statements, which you made in the correspondence 
above referred to ; which correspondence, it seems, grew 
out of some remarks which you made in a public meeting, 
in relation to the letter, which was written and circulated 
by authority from Gen. Harrison, to aid in his election. 
Being myself a minister of the Baptist denomination, and 
an ardent friend of human rights and liberty, I have taken 
the liberty to address you this letter, and to ask you to 
give me a full account of the whole matter. I am prompt- 
ed to this by no one, but for my own satisfaction. I wish 
to know, if we as a people and nation have come to this, 
that ministers of the gospel,, in their persons and effects, 
are not safe from the brutal assaults of the sons of Relial^ 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 101 

upon publishing without reserve their own views, or in 
giving a plain statement of facts, in relation to any mat- 
ter, which may have transpired within their knowledge. 

I have for some time, been thinking of taking a preach- 
ing tour through some of the northern States, and even on 
this account, I should be glad to know, to what extent the 
freedom of speech and the press is abridged ; or to what 
extent, an abridgement has been attempted. 

I know that the system of Ijynch Law has been prac- 
ticed in our country for several years back, to an alarming 
extent : and which, together with other scenes, which fre- 
quently occur under both religious and political excite- 
ment, makes me sometimes tremble for the Republic. 

In addition to the facts, in relation to the assault, which 
is said to have been made on you, I should also be glad 
that you would give me the particulars of the " secret let- 
ter," if there is any thing of note, besides what you wrote 
to Mr. Hallett. 

I am Yours, &c. 

Rev. Abel Brown. JOHN CLARK. 

From the Same. 

Sept. Sth, 1840. 

My Dear Brother : — Your interesting letter of the 
21st ult., was received, and as it had been intimated in 
some of our papers, that you had been abused, and also 
reports circulated, prejudicial to your character and stand- 
ing, as a minister of the gospel, I have made your expose 
of the wickedness of the ciderites public, in which, the 
intelligent will clearly see the true cause of all the abuse 
and persecution which you have received. 

The party now, will no doubt, devise some new mode of 
attack, as I understand, they have already declared here 
that you are an impostor, politically so at least, and that 
you only publish those things, to injure the whig cause. 
I trust, however, my brother that you will feel a consolon 
lion, in the midst of these afflictions, irom the considera- 
tion, that " the master of the house," was treated in like 
manner, and for a similar cause; that of preaching against 

y 



10^ 



MEMOt-R OF AREL BROWPT. 



wickedness. He hesitated not to testify of the world, that 
their deeds were evil. 

My principal object in writing to you at this time is, to 
guard you against any letter or letters, which you may re- 
ceive from here or hereabouts, unless subscribed to by me ; 
for you have not many friends here, and they would not 
write to you without my knowledge, an^d your enemies 
may, with a view to entangle you, and expose you in the 
papers. Should you, therefore, receive any letter from 
this quarter, in which I am not recognized, you had better 
write to me upom the subject ; that is, if you sli^H feel dis- 
posed to answer it at aH. 

This same cider party h-ave been guiFty, both in Ohio 
and Indiana, of the sacrilegious blasphemy of administer- 
ing the supper, to their deluded followers and converts to 
Harrison, vf'iih. parched com and hard cider^ saying, " take 
this in remembrance of Old Tip ! !*^ 

I will, if I can, put my hand upon it, and send you the 
paper containing the full account of these proceedings. I 
have thought, that certainly, the monstrous wickedness 
of the time, was without a parallel in the history of the 
world 

I remain yours, in the Kingdom and patience of Jesus 
Christ, JOHN CLARK. 

The foolish excess to which the people had been trans- 
ported,, at this period of political excitement, must, in the 
cool reflection of " after days," appear like anything, rath- 
er than a rational procedure, to secure the highest gift 
of the peopFe in the election of its chief ruler, however 
worthy the candidate of their suffrages might be. 

In the midst of the most viruJent opposition, Mr. Brown 
succeeded in accomplishing much good for the prosperity 
of the church over which he was placed ; yet declined an 
invitation to remain longer as Pastor of the same. 

In the spring of 1841, on his removal to New York, he 
accepted of a call to the Pastoral charge of the Baptist 
church in Sand Lake. He there pursued the same course 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 103 

of faithful teaching, exhortation and rebuke, as occasion 
required. 

A few letters indicative of his views and continued 
course of action, are herein inserted ; together with an 
aecount of the progress of Temperance, in which Mr. 
Brown might well congratulate himself in having helped 
to achieve ; written by that warm and distinguished friend 
of every good and noble enterpise, (E. W. Goodwin), ad- 
dressed to the Editor of the Tocsin of Liberty. 

Great Mass Temperance Meeting. 

Auburn, Feb. 1st, 1841. 
This is the day advertised for a great mass Temperance 
meeting in this place. Well, it is now, while I write, 
about 12 o'clock M., and it really seems as if the great 
fountains of the deep are broken up among the people. 
The principal street is one moving mass of men, women 
and children. In the mean time the great Auburn House, 
(now kept by J. M. Brown, on Temperance principles) is 
overflowing. Gen. Riley is here, and a host of reformers, 
ready to take the platform as orators in the different 
churches, which will be filled to overflowing at 2 o'clock. 
Then there are bands of music, and choirs of singers, 
heading the masses as they march in, from the different 
towns, with banners and appropriate devices and mottos. 
Altogether it is grand beyond expression. I can hardly 
realize that I am not dreaming. How strange ! A few 
short years ago, temperance was very small here. Now 
men are complete enthusiasts for it. Once the grocery 
interest held the dominion, and swayed an influence over 
the entire village. Now it is weak and powerless. In- 
deed all along my journey to this place east of Utica, men 
can scarcely think of anything else, talk of anything else 
or hear of anything else but temperance. They seem al- 
most to have forgotten the ordinary avocations of business 
and gone to work en masse as moral reformers. Tell Abel 
Brown, that the man Clute — formerly the great embody 
ment of intemperance and rum selling, who whipped him 
while collecting facts and laboring as temperance agent. 



104 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

has turned his liquor into the streets and signed the Re- 
former's pledge, and has become a good citizen. And that 
the same mob that howled and dogged him from the place, 
before whose ferocity he was compelled to flee for his life, 
are now, many of them as energetically engaged as re- 
formers. Ah, what an encouragement this for his rejlec- 
tion. What an encouragement for all who may suffer 
reproach and shame and poverty in the holy cause of mor- 
al reform, to endure patiently, with strong hope. The 
day of rejoicing will come. * * * * 

Albany, Aug. 23d, 1841. 

Wm. Lloyd Garrison : Very Dear Brother — I am al- 
ways happy when writing to you, because I feel assured 
that you will publish the truth, though it should render you 
odious. Go on, my brother. Toil here, and rest not, un- 
til Christ shall call you to himself. My spirit cannot rest, 
so long as my brethren are crushed by the iron hoof of op- 
pression. 

What follows may strike you with terror, but it is nev- 
ertheless true. Mr. Jones affirmed it to be so in the pres- 
ence of Mrs. Stewart and Miss Briggs of Troy. 

Slaveholders are received into the Mission churches ; 
and the Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Congrega- 
tional Missionaries among those tribes, are unanimous, so 
far as he is acquainted, in sustaining slaveholders, as Chris- 
tian brethren in the churches ! That they (the Missiona- 
ries) neither preach against this practice, nor use means to 
put it out of the church. That almost all the Missiona- 
ries, either own or hire slaves of their masters to work, 
and pay the master for their services ! That he has been 
obliged in cases of sickness, to do it himself That the 
Rev. Mr. Mason, a Baptist missionary, was obliged to 
leave the country, because he would oppose slavery ! Rev. 
Mr. Kellam left, I suppose, on the same account. That 
the Rev. Mr. Hatch and wife. Baptist missionaries among 
the Choctaws, left, because they could not conscientiously 
sustain slavery. That Rev. Mr. Flemming and Rev. Mr. 
Dodge, M. D., missionaries of the American Board, left 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 105 

on the same account. That the Rev. Mr. Potts, Baptist 
missionary among the Choctaws, either owns or hires 
slaves of their masu - that he is open and public in this, 
and all understand iiiat he sustains slavery, and receives 
slaveholders into the church, as good, pious Christians ! 
That Rev, Mr. P., a Methodist missionary among the 
Choctaws, owns a number of slaves, and treats them as 
such ; and that he shot and killed a white man, whom he 
supposed was stealing one of his slaves, and that Rev. Mr. 
P. is in full fellowship with the other missionaries ! That 
he (Mr. Jones) has received the communion services from 
his hands &c. 

It would need a man or woman of considerable faith, as 
they would perhaps mistrust that " a negro stealer," had 
come among them, and the Rev. Mr. Perry might be ap- 
pointed to shoot the fanatics; especially, if he should be 
found among his negroes ! 

ABEL BROWN. 

Elder John Peek of Cazenovia, in this State, who is 
(or was) travelling at the South, as an agent of the Ameri- 
can Baptist Home Missionary Society, waiting from Ala- 
bama to the N Y. Baptist Register, says : 

** I saw in this place a coJorGd iTjinistering brother, be- 
longing to Montgomery church, named Caesar Blackmoor, 
who is owned by the Alabama Association, and is appoint- 
ed a missionary to the colored people, under the direction 
of three trustees, and preaches in the bounds of the As- 
sociation and elsewhere, at their direction. Brother C. 
informed me that he has been very successful in his la- 
bors, and preaches to great acceptance to both white and 
colored brethren. He baptized last year on his mission 
one hundred and ten persons of his own color. As a man, 
a christian, and a minister of the gospel, his characther is 
irreproachable. He preached on Lord's day in the after- 
noon in the same pulpit that I had occupied in the morn- 
ing, but my health w^ould not permit of my going to hear 
him." 

Shameful! An Ambassador of Christ made a Chat-- 



106 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

TEL ! The Minister of the Gospel of ONE color is plac- 
ed on a perfect level with the Horse of his Brother Min- 
ister ! ! One ambassador the property, chattel, of another 
ambassador. The Representative of Christ, for such min- 
isters claim to be, is made the personal property of Christ's 
church, and sent out as a Missionary to preach the glad 
news of salvation, " peace on earth and good will Co man," 
with a chain on his neck! The Bihle in one hand, and 
the other chained to his back, to keep him from running 
away ! The proceeds of preaching used to send the gos- 
pel of peace to the Isles of the sea ! 

A Baptist Minister gave $100 to a Missionary Society, 
and asserted as a reason why he was able, that he had 
made a good sale of slaves I 

The Board of the American and Foreign Missionary 
Society refuse to testify against slavery, because they 
could not obtain the support of the south if they should. 

We view the church as being in a very wicked position, 
and as deserving the frowns of offended mercy. We be- 
lieve the frown of God rests upon American churches,, and 
our alarm cry to them is and shall be, in earnest voice : 

"Oh, rouse ye — ere the storm comes forth^- 

The grant- red wraih of God and man — 
Like that which wasted Egypt's earth, 
VVIien hail and fire above it ran." 
# * # * * *# # * 

Sand Lake, June 12th, 1842. 
Dear Brother Brown : — I feel as if I could weep 
tears of blood over the apparent desolating prospects of 
Zion. Whether God is about to give up his people, and 
let them have the desire of their own hearts, or whether 
his judgments are fast ripening, that will be sent to bring 
them back to Him, that they may deliglit to do His will, 
requires the scrutinizing eye of that God, who alone is 
able to scan the motives, and trace the windings of the 
human soul. I feel as though we were called upon to con- 
tend inch by inch with the adversary of all good, for the 
right to our master's territory. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 107 

The cloven foot never appeared to me more apparent, 
and more deformed, than it did yesterday in our church, in 
the determination of our Deacons, that they would do 
what they could to prevent your going as a delegate from 
this church, to the Association at Poughkeepsie. The 
main objection of Dea. Fox was, that you would agitate 
the subject of slavery, and it struck him very forcibly, 
that you had neglected to take a letter of dismission from 
this chnrch, purposely that you might get the delegation ; 
and this he thought very mysterious. Dea. Gregory had 
objections, but he did not make them known, and although 
it was voted that you sJwuld go as a delegate, yet the vote 
was afterwards rescinded. 

I hope the Lord vi^ill direct you in the way he would 
have you go, and if it is his will that you should, that all 
the causes of discouragement will not prevent your be- 
ing present at the Association. Trust in God — he will 
sustain you. If means are wanting, I will bear a part of 
the expense. Yours as ever, 

C. H. GREGORY. 

Sand Lake, Rensselaer Co., 

N. Y., June 2Sth, 1841. 
J. H. Vinton, MissiOxXary at Maulmain, Asia : 

Very Dear Brother — You will, 
doubtless, recognize my name, as that of a brother of 
your acquaintance, in the Hamilton Institution. I trouble 
you only to make a few inquiries, as we are in perils 
among brethren. Whether they are' false or not, "God 
knoweth." You know that American Slavery is upheld 
and supported by the Baptist churches, I suppose. I will, 
however, make a few statements in order that I may be 
fully understood. 

There are about 125,000, or one sixth part of all the 
Baptist church members of the U. S., slaves. 

Almost all the intluential Baptists of the Southern 
States, both ministers and laymen, are slaveholders, and 
within two or more years past have come out boldly and 
published sermons, letters and pamphlets, making God, 



108 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, the author and sustain- 
ers of slavery. Eld. Fuller, late preacher for the U. S. 
Baptist Tri. Convention, has just published a document, 
boldly advocating these doctrines. Dr. Wm. B. Johnson, 
the President of the Convention, is another. It is known 
that many of the southern Baptists raise negroes and sell, 
and almost every southern church upholds this traffic. 

One year ago last April, a convention of Baptists was 
held in the city of New York to concoct, and carry out 
measures, for the overthrow of slavery in the Baptist 
church. The most we did, was to prepare an address to 
the southern Brethren, telling them our grief, and exhort- 
ing them affectionately to cease to buy, sell and hold men 
as slaves. Eld. Galusha was Chairman of the Convention, 
and signed the address. We sent them to every church 
and nnuister in the Southern States. 

The result has been, that the southern churches came 
out plainly, and justified themselves ; said that it was right 
in the sight of God, to hold property in man ; and demand- 
ed that the northern churches, -hould either turn out the 
brethren who published the address from all and every 
office in the Baptist Benevolent Societies, and receive and 
fellowship the southern churches in buying and celling 
and holding slaves, or they, the southern Baptists, will with- 
hold all money from the Treasuries of the Home and For- 
eign Mission and Bible Societies. The Boards of these 
Societies have written letters, and sent their agents to the 
South, assuring them that they utterly disapprove of the 
efforts of the Anti-Slavery brethren. The Home and For- 
eign Mission and Bible So leties have, at their annual 
meetings, rejected the Anti-Slavery brethren, even put out 
Eld. Galusha from an office in the F. M. Society, only be- 
cause he was one of the brethren, who could not consci- 
entiously receive slaveholders into communion and fellow- 
ship, in a Christian church. A number of the most stren- 
uous slaveholders (Baptist ministers) have been in Boston, 
New York, Albany, and have been invited to preach, and 
received as Baptist Christians in good standing. This has 
been done by the South, 1 suppose, to see whether there 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN, 109 

was any disposition on the part of northern Baptists, to 
put away slavery. 

Again, we are exceedingly grieved, that these Societies 
should suffer their Boards to send agents to the southern 
Baptist churches, to collect apart of the money, which is 
robbed from the blacks, to send the gospel to heathen in 
other countries. Those agents which are sent South, are 
particularly understood as being such as will not reprove 
slaveholders, and indeed they all, I believe, are every month 
writing letters home to be published, telling what excel- 
lent Christians our dear southern Baptists are. They all 
oppose, and many publicly condemn those of us who are 
laboring to uproot slavery. 

Again, I am exceedingly grieved, that yourself and oth- 
er missionaries, should suffer yourselves to be supported by 
money collected from men who rob the poor, and some of 
the money is actually received from those who sell men, 
and is a part of the profits, and that too, without offering 
a single reproof, through the Board, for such robbery. The 
slaveholders make their boasts, that they are sustained by 
the missionaries in this way, and that the Board and agents 
sustain them, and condemn the Anti-Slavery Baptists. 

Now, my dear brother, I have to ask you if you will not 
come out, and write letters to the Board, remonstrating 
against their sending agents South to collect money, rob- 
bed from the bleeding slaves, and also refuse to accept 
support from those who rob the poor. Rest assured, one 
such letter sent home, asking to be supported by money 
which is nol the price of blood, will do much toward ar- 
resting the pro-slavery spirit, which is rife among us. And 
it will secure you and all who take a similar course, an 
abundant support. I have done paying money to a Board, 
that helps rob the poor. I cannot send money to those, 
who, at the same time, ask the price of blood, and sanc- 
tion the crime of extorting it from my colored brethren 
under the lash. We sent the last $25,00 last week. But 
if the missionaries will come out and condemn this crime, 
and ask to be supported by the earnings of honesty, there 
are many brethren who would go from house to house and 
10 



1 10 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

from town to town, and collect money for their support. 
If you write letters to the Board, please send a copy to 
me, for the Board, I fear, will suppress them. 

I am having no quarrel with any of these men — have as 
high a place among my brethren as I deserve. All I wish 
is, that God may be honored in setting the oppressed free. 
Since 1836, I have been travelling much — about two 
years on the Ohio river and vicinity — for the past three 
years in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. I 
have been laboring in behalf of the oppressed. God is 
fast breaking the yoke, and soon, I trust, I shall have the 
privilege of preaching Christ to the dying blacks of the 
South. I have been there and seen their abject heathen- 
ism. About two millions of them are as really heathen 
as those in Asia. 

I have often desired to be with you in Asia, but could 
not, without being sent by a board, that takes the robbery 
of the poor for burnt offering. I have lived in constant 
persecution, until within a year past. Three times I have 
been publicly whipped, once, more than fifty lashes. I 
have been stoned and mobbed very, very many times, but 
always in the free States. Very many times have I been 
stopped by the leading ministers, when I was referring to 
the heathen at homey as we all do to the heathen abroad. 
Never, until this year, would Hudson River Association 
let a word be said in behalf of the slaves; but this year 
we discussed a resolution about two hours. I was called 
to order again and again, but the Moderator knowing that 
I was in order, did not stop me, yet they would not pass a 
resolution, saying that slavery was a moral evil. Howev- 
er, I think that good was done, and hoping in God, I trust, 
with his assistance, I shall persevere. The Association 
appointed me one of their delegates, to attend the annual 
meeting of the N. Y. State Convention, and the A. B. 
Home Mission Society, where they must know, I will 
bring up the case of the slave. The best of all is, God 
is with us. 

My kind regards to your wife, Brother and Sister How- 
ard. And now, may the blessed God help you to do just 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. Ill 

what will meet his approbation, in consideration of two mill- 
ions of heathen in this land, and another million that can- 
not read the Bible. 

I shall probably make this my earthly home, for two 
years or more. The fatigues of myself and family for four 
or five years past, render it necessary. 

When we meet where Jesus is, then we will talk orer 
our trials and troubles, and blessings. I have had the hap- 
piness of baptizing about seventy, within the past year. 

From your sinful brother, yet hoping in Christ, 

ABEL BROWN. 

To N. P. Rogers, Editor of the Herald of Freedom. 

Sand Lake, N. F., Aug. 17th, 1841. 

Dear Brother : — In the last number of the Liberator, 
I find an article copied from the Herald, headed *' Rev. 
Jonathan Davis." In that article you call upon Bro. 
Murray, and consequently upon all Baptist abolitionists, to 
renounce the denomination. And you speak of him as 
having fellowship with the denomination, and as being one 
of the most worthy among the abolition host, among the 
Baptists. Bro. Murray is able to answer for himself As 
you have cut loose from all denominations, I should be 
happy to have you point out to me ray duty to the Baptist 
connection, if I am not already doing it. 

1st. I am a regular ordained Baptist Minister, and a mem- 
ber of a Baptist church. 

2d. I firmly believe that it is my duty to preach that 
men should repent, believe in Christ and be baptized ; and 
when men or women, black or white, do repent and be- 
lieve in Christ, I baptize them if it is their request. I 
then suppose they are members of Christ's visible church 
on earth, and are at liberty to associate themselves with a 
body of baptized believers, subject only to the laws and 
ordinances of Christ himself They are subject to the 
laws or authority of no council, association, society, or 
convention, but elect whom they will, to teach and instruct 
them in the way of Christ more perfectly. They have 
power and authority from Christ himself, to ordain or set 



112 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

apart ministers, deacons, or any other officers which Christ 
appoints; and such officers, when set apart, have no more 
authority, than any man or woman in the church. Each 
and every member has one vote, and only one, in deciding 
any matter whatever, which concerns the church. No 
sin whatever, is to he practised hy them, either in an indi- 
vidual or collective capacity. If a brother or sister fall 
in sin, and cannot be restored in the spirit of meekness, 
fellowship is to be withdrawn from them, and the of- 
fender counted not as an enemy, but admonished as a 
brother. Of such a church, am I a member. As their 
minister, when permitted by Providence to be with them, 
I do not fail to rebuke and reprove sin, and when abroad 
I do the same. We would no sooner receive a slavehold- 
er into the church, than we would any other thief ; and I 
would as soon baptize old Satan himself, as a believer in, 
or a practiser of slavery. 

3d. Whenever I am appointed by the church to attend 
any religious meeting, it is taken for granted, that I will 
carry out the principles held and practised by the church ; 
that I will not, even by silence, give my sanction to 
sin in any form. If I am sent to attend an Anti-Slavery, 
or any other convention, and they refuse (like the Nation- 
al Baptist Anti-Slavery Convention) to obey the whole 
truth, I am in duty bound to faithfully rebuke them, and 
use my influence to bring the body to embrace the truth, 
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. If after 
faithful trial, the enemies of God prevail, escape from them ; 
always remembering to bear faithful witness against their 
evil deeds. 

4th. So far as the " National Baptist Triennial Conven- 
tion" is concerned, I am free to declare, that its last meet- 
ing was composed oi thieves and robbers, and their abettors ^ 
as much worse than common horse and sheep thieves, as 
men are better than horses and sheep. I fully believe, 
that those who sanctioned their proceedings, by neg- 
lecting to rebuke them, and by giving their votes for 
thieves and robbers, are partakers of their sins. 

5th. These views I endeavor to advocate on all suitable 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 113 

occasions. I have published them to the world. A. Broth- 
er was kind enough to take me aside from the Baptist 
Anti-Slavery Convention in New York city, in April last, 
and advise me to leave the Convention, and go off along 
with G-arrison & Co., but I expect it will be duty to go 
back next spring, and rebuke your Bro. Worth, Colver 4* 
Co. There is yet some hope that they will come to re- 
pentance. 

6th. I am not particularly anxious to be called a Bap- 
tist, but as I understand the term Baptist to mean '* oppo' 
sition to all sin," and as those who do not practically and 
really oppose all sin, are only Baptist hypocrites, I think 
it duty to still belong to a Baptist church. During the 
past year, amid all the opposition which Baptist hypocrites 
and their abettors could bring against me, it has been my 
happy privilege to baptize more persons, than any other 
Baptist minister in the western half of Massachusetts. 

In conclusion, my brother, let me ask you faithfully to 
rebuke me, if I have not renounced the present Baptist 
denomination in the U. S., as far as duty requires. As 
you stand aloof from all church organization, you may be 
better prepared to judge than myself. 

I do not patronize any of the hypocritical Baptist peri- 
odicals. I pay nothing to their societies, and receive noth- 
ing from them. I do endeavor to rebuke their sins, when- 
ever an opportunity presents. In addition to these labors 
in behalf of common humanity, I still feel it a duty to 
preach, and baptize in the name of Jesus Christ, all who 
give evidence of repentance towards God and faith in the 
Redeemer. 

Your brother in Christ, 

ABEL BROWN. 



10* 



114 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWX. 



CHAPTER XII. 



Bemoval to Albany— Labors in behalf of Refugees — Engages as Publisher 
of the Tocsin of Liberty — Formation of the Eastern N. Y. Antislavery 
Society — Fugitive Slave cases. 

Early in the year '42, Mr. Brown engaged in labors for 
the slave in Albany ; a city, which from its location on 
the banks of the Hudson, was the constant resort of fugi- 
tive slaves, when travelling in the direction of the North 
Star, to seek shelter under the wing of Queen Victoria's 
dominion, or happily, perchance, to find an Asylum in the 
nominally free States. To effect this, and also to render 
their flight effectual, and speed them on their course to 
the goal of freedom, it was found necessary that a syste- 
matic train of operations be devised, by Committees formed 
for the specific purpose of aiding those who thus sought 
the protection of friends in a strange land. Mr. Brown 
entered anew, into this department of labor, with all the 
zeal and benevolent enthusiasm which had heretofore 
prompted him, when alone on the borders of slave States, 
to pursue, in rescuing from slavery the helpless victims of 
American oppression. 

He also engaged as Publisher of the Tocsin of Liberty, 
a paper conducted by E. W. Goodwin, whose ability as 
an Editor, was equalled only by his philanthropic zeal, 
and devotion to the interests of the slave. 

It was then the Tocsin rung with the joyful intelligence 
of the arrival of fugitive slaves from the land of chains — 
and often too, sounded the note of alarm, to the watch- 
men on freedom's walls, who neither slumbered nor slept 
in their untiring vigilance, io protect these ** outcasts " of 
humanity from farther invasion of southern man-hunters, 
and legalized robbers. 

Formation of the Eastern N. Y. A. S. Society. 

Mr. Brown was one of the prominent movers in the 
organization of this Society. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 115 

The following is an account of the proceedings of the 
Convention, gathered from the Secretary's reports. 

" In accordance with a call, previously published, the 
Convention met in Albany on the 20th day of April, 1842, 
for the purpose of considering the propriety of forming an 
Eastern N. Y. Antislavery Society, and for doing such 
other business as might legitimately come before them. 

The meeting was called to order by Elder Abel Brown, 
prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Shipherd of Troy. 

The meeting was held at the City Hall and continued 
in session two days. 

There were about one hundred names reported as dele- 
gates, representing twelve Counties, viz : — New York, 
Columbia, Albany, Schenectady, Washington, Saratoga, 
Schoharie, Montgomery, Fulton, Oneida and Madison. 
There were also several anti-slavery friends present from 
three other states, viz : Vermont, Massachusetts and 
Rhode Island, who by request took seats in the Conven- 
tion and participated in its deliberations. With the ex- 
ception of one or two occasions of differences of opinion, 
wherein some feeling was manifested on both sides, the 
Convention was characterized with unusual harmony, and 
a firmness of purpose to go steadily forward, towards the 
goal for which abolitionists started." 

Among the speakers, during the series of meetings, 
were Gerrit Smith, Henry B. Stanton, and others whose 
powers of eloquence and effective address contributed 
much to the interest of the occasion. John A. Collins 
and Charles Lenox Remond, were also present at the 
solicitation of Mr. Brown, bearing with them the great 
Irish Antislavery Address, with its sixty thousand signa- 
tures, headed by Daniel O'Connell and Theobald Mat- 
thew. 

Among the resolutions, the following is found in refer- 
ence to political action. 

We pledge ourselves in the words of Gen. Washington, 
who said, *' Slavery can and ought to be abolished by laii\ 
and so far as my suffrage will go, it shall never be want- 
ing." 



116 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

In the election of officers, Mr. Brown was chosen Cor- 
responding Secretary and General Agent of the Society, 
The counties embraced in this division, including all 
those bordering the Hudson, those on Long and Staten 
Islands, together with Delaware, Schoharie, Montgomery, 
Schenectady, Fulton, Essex, Hamilton, Washington and 
Warren. 

The field of operations (thus defined) being compara- 
tively new, even at this period of the Antislavery Enter- 
prise, will account for the apathy and want of interest in 
some, and opposition in other places to the movement. 
However, there were a few *' true and tried friends of the 
slave," who were neither slow nor weary in well doing in 
their efforts to upbuild this great and mighty cause, while 
traversing the vallies and hills of the noble Hudson. 
Although pledged in the various offices assigned him, to 
sustain the work in this department, (involving both his 
time and powers in no small degree,) yet Mr. Brown found 
occasion, still to labor for other objects, alike important 
to the public weal and to the welfare of individuals. 

A few instances on record, designate his labors at this 
period, as also some articles published by him in the Toc- 
sin of Liberty, concerning his agency for the Vigilance 
Committee and fugitive slaves. 

1842, April 23d. Notified meeting (by writing to all 
members of Ex. Committee.) 

28, 29. Spent most of the time preparing for, and 
getting up a meeting to oppose licensing the sale of spirit- 
ous liquors in Albany. 

31. Sabbath — spent in preaching on dock, and resting. 

The following advertisement from Mr. Brown, in behalf 
of a poor colored brother, shows, on what conditions, 
many slaveholders are willing to relinquish their slaves. 

$15800 Wanted to buy a Wife and six Children 

Albany, 3Ion. Morning, May 1, 1842. 
E. W. Goodwin, Esq. — Dear Sir : — There arrived in 
this city from Washington D. C. during the last week, a 
man by the name of Freemen, a carpenter by trade. He 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 117 

has letters from gentlemen of high standing and respecta- 
bility, in Washington, and also from gentlemen in Charles- 
ton, S. C. He has formerly been a slave of the Hon. Mr. 
B., late Sec'y of the U. S. Navy, from whom he purchas- 
ed himself for the sum of $800. The said Sec'y now 
holds in bondage his wife and six children ; and utterly 
refuses to give them up unless the husband and father will 
pay him the sum of $1,800, and has promised to retain 
them nine months, to give the father an opportunity of 
purchasing them at the expiration of that time : otherwise 
they are to be sold, and perhaps separated, never more to 
meet on earth. Mr. Freemen wishes to obtain in this and 
adjoining places, the sum of $200, which with what he 
has now in his possession, will enable him to obtain from 
that Honored American Robber, that which now justly 
belongs to him. He is willing to work for a term of years, 
for any person who will furnish him means to thus bless 
his family. Those who love to aid the perishing, are re- 
spectfully invited to send donations to the subscriber, No. 
8 South-Pearl-st. Yours, in haste, 

ABEL BROWN. 

A fine opportunity was thus, not unfrequently, afforded 
those, who affirm so great a desire, that the slaveholder 
should he paid, for his living though actually dead "prop- 
erty" in human beings. This is a reward, however, that 
never should be granted, except, (in the case of no alter- 
native) as a ransom in the liberation of a slave. 

" May 2d. Visited Poughkeepsie, and lectured in the 
evening, to a small audience in a corner of the village. 

The Churches were all closed against lectures from 
Antislavery Agents. 

May 4. Visited Peekskill, but could not find even a 
hovel, in which to lecture for the slave. The rummies 
threatened me with a niob, if I dared to lecture, and to pull 
down any house, that should be opened for the purpose. 
The Washingtonians, got me up a Temperance meeting, 
and cheered me on, until I was tired. Ascertained that 
my appointment was not out in Sing Sing — Saw one of 



nS MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

the Levites, as also a priest, from that place ; but they 
were as far from doing any thing, as the Priests and Le- 
vites of old were, for the man that fell among thieves. 

May 5th. Took passage for Brooklyn, and after a long 
and painful talk with pro-slavery ministers, arrived in New 
York and from tlience to Brooklyn. The dear Christian 
Churches of that City, shut me out doors. Consequently, 
my appointment failed. The day following — Spent in ob- 
taining a meeting hereafter, and in consultation with the 
friends — shall probably obtain a Methodist house soon, and 
have the assurance of the kind co-operation of the friends 
of the cause. All appear happy, that the Committee are 
willing to engage in this good work, and I find a few, to 
sustain us in all places. 

June 3d. Wrote and prepared letters for the Am. & 
Foreign A. S. Soc'y — aided Fugitives. Watched Kidnap- 
pers &c. 

4. Went to Troy, to watch a constable from Baltimore, 
and aid the friends in Troy, in knowing and watching him. 

5. Sabbath — Preached on the Dock and in the Bethel, 
four times. (This he usually did on the Sabbath.) 

10th. Spent most of the week in aiding runaways, 
and in sending off Circulars — Soliciting money and find- 
ing solicitors — Went to Sand Lake, and made arrange- 
ments to send a certain person there. 

Amidst a variety of efforts to aid fugitives, Mr. Brown 
writes, — 

"Lectured on the dock, four evenings, respecting Tem- 
perance " 

A few short sketches (given by Mr. Brown) concerning 
fugitive slaves, are designed to show the ridiculous posi- 
tion, and the contemptible meanness of slaveholders, in 
their pretended ownership of the bodies and souls of men ; 
also, the utter futility of their efforts to regain this species 
of flying property, when once in the hands of a skillful 
Committee. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 119 

[For the Tocsin of Liberty.] 
Kidnapper , Look Here ! 

Albany, June 20tk, 1842. 

E. W. Goodwin, Esq. Dear Sir : — The vigilance com- 
mittee are up to their elbows in work, and are desirous to 
have you inform a few of those men who have lately lost 
property consisting of articles of merchandize (falsely so 
called) in the shape, and having the minds and sympathies 
of human beings, that we are always on hand, and ready 
to ship cargoes on the shortest notice, and ensure a safe 
passage over the "Great Ontario." Please inform the fol- 
lowing persons, that their property arrived safe, (though 
some of it was badly worn) and has been forwarded and 
arrived safe in Canada. 

Cheney Hutton is hereby informed that two very large 
men, the one a market man and teamster, the other a first 
rate field hand, came up on the "Peoples Line" of steam- 
boats, and marched right up to the office and handed out 
the following ''Bill of Lading." 

Ncio York, June 6th, 1842. 

''Shipped on board the steamboat R , Peoples Line, 

the bearers, who are kindly commended to your care," 6i.c. 

W . 

Agent. 

They confessed that they were runaways and their coun- 
tenances proved that they were guilty of being as black 
as a slaveholders heart. They did not appear to be 
ashamed of what they had done, but a gentleman present 
said, he was ashamed for them that they had not done one 
thing more, and that was, to have driven along the market 
wagon well loaded, as part payment for the robbery of 
about 30 years service. Friend Hutton may as well give 
up the chase, — for Benjamin and Phillip, will hereafter 
sell their own poultry, raise their own corn and own their 
bodies, and let Cheney Hutton do his own marketing or 
pay for doing it, as honest men do. 
ABEL BROWN, 

Forwarding Merchant, Albany. 



120 MEMOIR OP ABEL BROWN. 

Albany Kidnappers. 

Mr Editor : Certain gentlemen, who take such a deep 
interest in the welfare of Miss Leah Brown, lately held 
in servile bondage by Mrs. McDonald, are hereby informed 
that Leah has no wish to return to the embrace of the family 
who have robbed herself and mother, and her brothers and 
sisters, of their inalienable rights, from their earliest infancy. 
Also, that she is beyond the reach of those men who have 
lately offered one hundred dollars for her delivery, to the 
woman who formerly held her as a slave. She earnestly 
hopes, that Mrs. McD. will treat her mother and sisters 
kindly, and not sell them to Georgia. 

Will you please also, to inform the lovers of liberty, 
that the Vigilance Committee are in great want of funds 
to aid in sending emigrants to Canada. They have just 
received a lot fresh from the Southern District. 

Please also inform Robert Gilmore of Baltimore, that 
he need not give himself further trouble about his very 
intelligent and noble slaves, Marianna, Polly, Elisabeth 
Castle, and her fine little girl, for they have got safe over 
the great Ontario, where such men as his honor, would 
not look very well placing their feet for the purpose of 
kidnapping. 

Tell him also, that his slave John Weston left here 
more than a week since, at full speed, in a fine carriage 
drawn by fleet horses, and report says, there were not less 
than six well loaded pistols in the hands of John and his 
associates. The carriage was driven by as fine looking 
and noble hearted a son of the South, as I ever saw. The 
kidnappers who came on from Baltimore after John, have 
great reason to be thankful that they were outwitted and 
did not overtake the carriage, for most surely they would 
have met a hard reception. John said he would die 
sooner than go back. I am quite sure that Marianna, 
Elisabeth, John, and the little girl, have had a joyful 
thanksgiving in the other land. (I hope Robert will not 
envy them their happiness.) 

Tell the British Consul, that I sympathize with his 
afflicted wife, in the loss of Elisabeth, and if she will send 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. J^l^l 

me her free papers, and give me the liberty of so doing, I 
will invite her to return from Canada, and make her an 
inmate of my own family. I will not however, pay the 
$50 reward which her agent offered for Elisabeth. 

Inform Dr. Stewart, that Mary Ann had some fears 
when here, that he would catch her, but that the kindness 
of friends dried up her tears, and she too went over that 
awful lake, that smiles on slaves, and frowns on slavehol- 
ders. 

I have a charge against Robert Gilmore of $15 for 
money paid to the order of John, and $10 for money paid 
to the order of Elisabeth Castle, and her mother and 
daughter. I shall charge the British Consul $30 for 
money and service rendered Elisabeth. I charge the Con- 
sul somewhat extra, because he is disgracing the country 
of his birth, by his American practices. 

The kidnappers made it expensive transporting John, 
and Robert certainly ought to pay the $15 without cere- 
mony. I told him he might go back free of charge, or he 
might stay in Albany if he chose, but he would listen to 
no other proposals than such as secured him a passage to 
Canada; there appeared to be a charm in that name. He 
started on foot, and walked until his feet were perfectly 
blistered, when a friend brought him back to take a ntJ) 

start. Here he found that wTetched constable of 

Baltimore, watching for him, but there were more watching 
the kidnapper than he could find to watch John, and even 
the aid of the entire kidnapping gang that hang around a 
mock Justice in this city, could avail nothing after the 
* Vigilance Committee' had once taken him under their care. 

Kidnappers, look here ! 

E. W. Goodwin, Esq : — The forwarding business is 
still good, and a little more ready cash would place us 
upon a sure footing. We have been making as permanent 
arrangements as possible, and considering the " hard 
times," and hard hearts with which we have to do, have 
succeeded as well as could be anticipated. 

Not many weeks since, a licensed exhorter of the Meth- 
11 



122 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

odist Episcopal Church arrived in this city, and came so 
well recommended that there could hardly be a doubt but 
that he was just what he professed to be, a pious christian 
man, who had been a slave more than thirty years. He 
had taken his wife and children, and in the night fled from 
the land of robbers. The woods and swamps, were the 
abodes of himself and family for weeks. He found at last 
a friend, who kindly offered to protect his wife and little 
ones, until he should flee to Canada, and earn sufficient to 
defray the expense of moving his family to that land of 
freedom. He came to this city, and had it not been for a 
despised abolitionist, he would have come in vain. We 
will not now, expose the contempt with which he was 
treated by many of his own brethren in the church, God 
says, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord." 
Their wickedness will one day he exposed. Then, those 
who condemned him as a thief, for taking possession of 
his own body, and of his own wife, and own children, and 
who turned from him with neglect, will know, that Jesus 
Christ was treated with neglect, in the person of that dear 
colored child of his. We helped the man all we could ; 
so did some of the old fashioned Methodists. 

There is one Mr, Woodford, living far below Baltimore, 
whom we wish you to inform at as early a day as possible, 
respecting that woman, Eliza Wilson, whom he pounded 
with sticks of wood, whom he stripped naked again and 
again, and whipped with the cat and nine tails, until her 
body was completely lacerated, whom he then washed with 
salt brine, to make the smart worse, whose eyes he also 
filled with salt and water, whose neck and head my own 
eyes saw covered with scars, caused by blows from him 
and his agents, whose back the women say is one complete 
scar, having been whipped several different times, until 
it was completely cut to pieces ; whose head bears the 
mark of heavy clubs, in different places, whom he ever 
treated as a brute, a beast of burden, and whom he has 
robbed of the Bible and of education, from her earliest in- 
fancy ; whom he made work on the field, and submitted 
to be treated like the brutes that perish, 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 123 

Tell him that he had better repent of his awful crimes, 
for God's vengeance is out against him, and he will cer- 
tainly feel even more than he has poured upon the inno- 
cent head, of perhaps his own daughter. But she is now 
beyond his reach. We want money to aid in sending 
another on the same rood. 

Tell Mrs. Widow Margaret A. Culver, that the reward 
of $100 which she offered for her slave Levi, put us on 
the watch, and sure enough, he came pat upon us and 
handed out his bill of lading. 

We told him that the kidnappers of this city, were look- 
ing out. That man whom God will bless with a high place 
in heaven, gave him a piece of money and some food, and 
he passed on, where Margaret will never go. We refer 
the poor thievish widow to the letter of Sam Weller, found 
in another column, for further information respecting Levi. 

We trust she will send us forthwith, $25,00, as a re- 
ward for telling her where he may be found. We think 
he is now about half way over the Great Ontario, on the 
steamboat Freedom, or at least Levi calls her Freedom, 
and if Margaret thinks her cause a just one, she had bet- 
ter call in her minister and have special prayer offered to 
the ** Prince and power of the air," that he will drive that 
steamboat back, and suffer her to take care of Levi. 

The forwarding business calls our immediate attention, 
therefore we cannot write more until next week. 
Yours as ever, 

BROWN &, Co. 
Forwarding Merchants, Albany, N. Y. 

E. W. Goodwin, Esq , — Tell kidnappers to take notice, 
that we have such an amount of business on hand, that we 
have no time to report progress. 

One day last week eight noble persons arrived, all pant- 
ing for liberty. It only cost about twenty-five dollars to 
colonize them. A certain knave in New-Orleans owned 
two of them, and another who intended to have come with 
them, and who laid the plan for their escape, was whipped 
to death by Joseph Wolcott. That same murderer has 



124 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

sent his sons to a northern college, where they have been 
educated, and are now following the business of their un- 
godly father. These sons and their father have been court- 
ed by certain " Doctors of " who live in the state of 

; yes, they have even given such murderers certifi- 
cates vouching for their good moral character. But thank 
indulgent.Heaven, Sarah and her little girl of four years 
old are safe, and her unborn child will, we trust, never 
feel the curse of slavery. May God have mercy upon the 
man who killed its father. 

More when the shipping season is over. 
BROWN & CO. 

Forwarding Merchants, Albany. 

The history of the slave woman, concerning whom al- 
lusion is made in the preceding articles is as follows : — 

" Mrs .S. was born in the free State of New York ; and 

at an early age went to reside with Mr. , New York 

city. At about the age of ten years, Mr. took her to 

New-Orleans as a waiter for his wife. At that place he 
sold her to Mr. Wolcott, who owned a plantation near the 
city. When Mr. left her, he promised to return with- 
in a few months and take her to New York ; but he never 
returned. She bore her toil and oppression with patience, 
away from home and friends. She was kept as a house 
girl to wait upon the family. After six years, Mr. Wol- 
cott brought home a young man by the name of Smith, and 
gave her to him for a wife. She found him to be a husband, 
indeed : he was a methodist, could read and write, and was 
a praying, Christian man. For six years they lived togeth- 
er, and prayed to be liberated from their cruel bondage. 
And finally. Smith succeeded in making arrangements 
with a gentleman to carry them to New York. Previous 
to the day appointed, it became known that there were cer- 
tain slaves on the plantation designing to run away ; the 
story was traced to Smith, and he was tied to the whipping 
post to make him reveal the secrets of the expedition. 
The lash was applied, but in vain ; Smith refused to give 
them any information respecting it, or to reveal the names 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 125 

of the friends who had aided him in his efforts. They 
whipped the man until life was almost extinct, and the 
noble man died the day following the laceration. His poor 
wife went to see her dead husband, but her grief was so 
great that the master drove her to the house, with the 
stern command to "shut up," and never speak again of 
her husband. Her grief in secret was indescribable, but 
it only renewed her desire to get away. Her husband had 
revealed to her the plan of escape, and when the night ar- 
rived, she in connection with two other female slaves, and 
her little girl of four years, descended the ladder placed at 
the window by those who aided in her escape, and they, 
amid the darkness of the night, were placed in the hold 
of a vessel that conveyed them she knew not where. She 
was secreted during the day, and in the night was per- 
mitted to come out while the passengers were asleep. 
She did not see the sun from the time she left New Orleans 
until she found herself on shore a few miles from New- 
York city. — They were put to the land in a small boat, 
with a few shillings of money, happy indeed that they 
breathed an air free from slavery. She found friends by 
whose aid she was sent to the committee at Albany. The 
master advertised her, which, in connection with other cir- 
cumstances which she mentioned, found to be correct, was 
proof positive that she was the slave of Mr. Wolcott, and 
those who have been most intimate with her, have found 
her story to be at all times the same. She left N. Orleans 
about the first of May, a few days after her husband's 
dreadful death, and arrived in Albany in July. Her sit- 
uation was such, that the committee dared not send her 
on, lest she die by the way. A place of rest was therefore 
provided for her, and after two weeks she gave birth to a 
son Her health is restored ; she has placed her eldest 
child with a family near the city, while she is now at work 
in a neighboring county, and there paying the board of 
herself and free born child. 

If the donors of the ''Vigilance Committee" could 
have been at the office of the agent, when Mrs. Smith came 
and fell down upon her knees, and with tears of gratitude 
11* 



126 KEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

gave thanks to the committee, for their kindness in pro- 
viding for her a place of rest during her sickness, they cer- 
tainly would have thanked God that they had ever been 
permitted to give to the objects of a vigilance committee. 

" In another lot of these children of sorrow, was ELI Z A- 
BETH CASTLE, the slave of Robert Gilmore, of Balti- 
more. By the wish of her master she took for a husband 
a slave of the same name. Being a dress-maker, she was 
quite profitable to her owner, and had reason to expect that 
she would be permitted to enjoy the society of her family 
in peace, but it was not so. The birth of her first child 
convinced her, that her master regarded her as of more 
value, as every child she bore increased his wealth and 
caused him to watch her closer than ever. She found to 
her sorrow that not only herself, but also her children were 
considered to be mere articles of merchandize, and would 
in all probability be sold from her as soon as the market 
would warrant a profitable sale. She resolved, therefore, 
to flee. Her resolution wa& strengthened, when she found 
herself in a situation that would render it less convenient 
to perform a journey of some seven hundred miles. In 
connection with her mother, daughter, and two female 
friends, she started for that snowy paradise a little north of 
the mighty Ontario, where a woman with a heart of flesh 
sways the sceptre of freedom, and permits even colored 
women to " bear children^ without fearing that their help- 
less bodies will be torn from them by that American eagle 
which is ever watching to devour lawful prey." 

The company came to this city,, but were soon pursued 
by those hungry bloodhounds who are forever prowling 
about the kenn«ls of slavery, but the noble women were 
safely conveyed by the committee to the happy land. A 
few weeks since, they were visited by a member of the 
committee : all were delighted with their situation. Eliz- 
abeth has opened a shop on her own hook, and is delighted 
in looking upon her free born infant, safe from the fangs 
of Robert Gilmore, who sent the constable of Baltimore 
to seize it, even before it was born. Elizabeth only asks 
one favor of the ever despicable slaveholder, and that is, 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 127 

that he will liberate her husband, and suifer him to enjoy 
the society of his wife and children in a land of freedom." 
Mr. Brown usually had one or two fugitives from the 
land of chains, accompanying him on his agency, and the 
licensed Methodist Exhorter, by the name of James Bulah, 
(concerning whom, allusion is made in a former account 
of refugees) was now his travelling companion and Exhor- 
ter, in behalf of his brethren and sisters in bondage. 




Some curious specimens of introduction are found 
among Mr. Brown's papers, commending to his care and 
that of the Albany Vig. Committee, " certain travellers,, 
going North, for their own accommodation." One is 
represented as a friend of the Saviour, going to Canada, 
on an important mission, &,c. 

A member of the Vigilance Committee of New York, 
{Mr. Johnson) writing to Rev. Mr. Garnet, says, — " The 
bearer is travelling northward, in quest of his wife (who 
obtained her freedom by operation of natural assumption,) 
and he is ahso endeavoring to secure to himself, the same 
advantage. I am under the impression, that she did not 
go to Troy, but was directed to Mr. Abel Brown, of 
Albany, to whom I have directed some fortij or Jiffy, 
within a short time. 



128 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

You will therefore obtain such information from Mr. 
Brown, as will enable our friend to find her. If Mr. B. 
keeps accounts, as a forwarding. agent should do, he will 
find, she was shipped from N. Y. on the 16th or 17th 
inst. 

July 29, 1842. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

The Slave Hunter— Scenes of Outrage— Rights of Colored Citizens in 
vaded — No Legal Redress — Interfierence of Mr. Brown in behalf of the 
injured — Consequent Indictment — Proposition to Lecture — Mob Ele- 
ments Combined— Mr. Brown is Burned in Effigy, &c. — Clay Indict- 
ment — Circular— Explanatory Statements— Indefinite Postponement of 
Trial. 

The Vigilance Committee of Albany, often found them- 
selves in personal contest with slaveholders and their abet- 
tors, on account of the infrincrement on the rigrhts of 

. . . 

colored citizens of Albany ; by the Baboon insolence, 

(I know not what else to term it) of those prowling men- 
hunters and woman hunters, to recapture ** slaves" under 
any pretence, that might best subserve their purposes. 
During the month of May, the following occurrence took 
place. 

" A lady from Baltimore who has relations in Colum- 
bia Co. brought a slave girl with her to this city. Learn- 
ing that she was free by law, the girl left the woman. 
The woman and her friends attempted to recover her 
under the false pretence that she had stolen something. 
A warrant was obtained for her, and committed to con- 
stable Charles W. Mink, and he, with another tool of 
slavery, undertook ,to search the houses of the free people 
of color, violating the just principles of the law which ex- 
empts the houses of the citizens from all " unreasonable 
searches and seizures." In searchinof the house of Wm. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 129 

Johnson, a reputable citizen, he was guilty of an assault 
aud battery upon Mrs. Johnson. 

** The then justice of the police court refused to hold the 
ruffian to bail, and the Grand Jury refused to indict him, 
in consequence of the false representation of a prominent 
citizen. But public opinion, as expressed in large public 
meetings, condemned both the police and the jury, and 
threw an additional shield around the injured. When a 
member of the committee exposed the conduct of the 
police officers and the Jury, in the public prints, the ser- 
vile Grand Jury promptly indicted him (Mr. Brown) for 
libels upon the jury, and Mink, Loveridge and others. It 
is a sufficient comment on the indictments, to say that 
those who obtained them have been wise enough to let 
them sleep. Another member of the committee, Mr. 
Goodwin, was brutally assaulted in the street for the part 
he took in the matter, and when denied redress, and out- 
raged by the police magistrate, was promptly acquitted of 
all blame by an intelligent jury." 

The outrage thus committed on peaceable and unoffend- 
ing citizens in Albany, without any power of redress from 
a civil tribunal — also the corrupt public sentiment that 
would uphold and sustain the nomination of a slaveholder 
for the Presidency, called loudly for rebuke. Mr. Brown 
consequently designed to place before the public an ex- 
position of facts, as stated in the following account given 
by E. W. Goodwin, Editor of the Tocsin of Liberty. 

Grand bar$t-up of mob elements, but nobody hurt ! ! 

Our staid and quiet Albany was thrown into a most vio- 
lent commotion on Tuesday evening last, by the appear- 
ance of the following handbill : 

War! War! War! 

Don't he frightened, only a war of words. 

The subscriber proposes to give a course of street lec- 
tures. 

1st. He will comment upon the abominable wickedness 
of the late gentlemen's Grand Jury, in conniving with kid- 



130 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

nappers, and neglecting to indict a slave-hunter of this 
city. The names of the Grand Jurors will he given. 

2nd. Show that there is a gang of kidnappers watching 
for prey. 

3d. Will give account of the escape of fugitive slaves, 
and ask money to aid them to a land of freedom. 

4th. Will give a few reasons why that notorious Sah- 
hath breaker, Swearer, Gambler, Duelist, Thief, Rohher, 
Adulterer, Man-stealer, Slaveholder, S^c. HENRY CLAY ! 
should never be President of these U. S. Lectures will 
commence on Tuesday evening, at 7 1-2 o'clock precisely, 
near the Centre Market. ABEL BROWN. 

Albany, July 18, 1842. 

** Now in the first place it may be proper to state, that 
although Mr. Brown is the agent of the Eastern New 
York Anti-Slavery Society, yet he by no means acted as 
their agent in the production of that hand bill, as will be 
seen by his own private signature. And further, Mr. 
Brown did not counsel with any of the abolitionists; as he 
did not wish that any should share the responsibility but 
himself: ' I take the responsibility ' was the position he 
assumed. It is true some of the abolitionists saw the bill 
before it was posted up, and advised a different course as 
more prudent : but their counsels did not prevail. Now, 
what was the sequel ? Why, that Mr. Brown did not 
appear at the time and place appointed, but that the mob 
to a large number, (as we are told, not being present) did 
appear with abundance of wrath and cabbage, sheep's 
plucks, and other missiles, swearing and roaring vengeance 
on Abel Brown ! The Mayor and police were there too, 
ready as we also understand, to take the ** street brawler" 
into custody. 

It is true also, that the mob threw a stone against the 
sash of one of the windows of the Tocsin office, breaking 
in a couple of lights of glass, and made several efforts to 
push open the doors, but without success. Here we owe 
a debt of gratitude to those excellent mechanics, the 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 131 

Woleensack's, for a couple of their excellent and honestly 
made locks, for the preservation of our property. 

Thus much premised ; — now for the moral of this busi- 
ness. What was the difficulty? In the first place xMr. B. 
proposed to give his views or opinions, on the conduct of 
the grand jury, which refused to indict a man notoriously 
out of his official duty, in entering and disturbing, and 
assaulting a colored family, — alleging that he was search- 
ing for a slave, which had just escaped — the husband 
being absent. Was it for this the mayor and police were 
there ? 

'^nd. He was going to tell the people about there being 
kidnappers m town 1 Who doubts it after what has been 
so publicly made known within a few weeks past. 

3d. He was going to give the people an account of the 
poor fugitive slaves, who are constantly running as for 
life from a slavery far worse than Egyptian bondage, and 
ask the benevolent to aid by giving some money to help 
them on their way. Was this wrong? Oh no : it was the 
4th thing he proposed to do that *' touched the raw," that 
entered like seven daggers into the ** proud flesh" of pro- 
slavery politicians — that pierced " like an adder," the 
very soul and life seat of those foul and dark spirits. It 
was THIS, that made them " gnash on him with their 
teeth ! !" 

They were afraid their great Idol, which they had sac- 
rificed so much money and conscience to set up, would 
be endangered, and like their kindred spirits at Epheisus 
on another occasion, who clustered around to protect the 
shrine of Diana, by the existence of which they had their 
gains, like them we say, they begai\ with one accord to 
shout ** great is Henry Clay of Kentucky :" — " great is 
Henry Clay of Kentucky;" — and some whig abolitionists 
were able to sound the loudest bugle in the Babel chorus. 

As to the charge Mr. Brown has preferred in his hand- 
bill against Mr. Clay, we have nothing further to say at 
present than this: — We suppose it will not be denied, that 
Mr. Clay is or has been, (and we have no evidence of ref- 
ormation or repentance) a " swearer, gambler, and duel- 



132 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

ist." That he is a SLAVEHOLDER, is notorious. 
And the Bible decides that " He that stealeth a MAN, or 
if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to 
DEATH." Are men '^ found in his (Mr. Clay's) hand ?" 
" All men are created equal, and entitled to life, LIB- 
ERTY and the pursuit of happiness,'' says our admirable 
declaration. Does Henry Clay deprive any person or 
persons of their liberty ! ?" If so then what is he 1 What 
would that man be who in Algiers should deprive YOU 
of your liberty, though he might do it by law ! What 
would you call HIM? You would call him a manstealer ! 
Can any doubt then, that, when it is made out, that a man 
is guilty (morally) of the greater — that he is not also guilty 
of the lesser crime of stealing? Or in other words does 
not the greater cover the less ?" 

In reference to the statements in the foregoing notice, 
Mr. Brown remarked to me, that he expected, at the time 
the bills were posted, that they would accomplish their 
own work, and thus save him the necessity of lecturing ; 
which however, he was ready and willing to do, had not 
the bare announcement proved sufficient for his purpose. 

Soon after the production of the hand-bill, Mr. Brown 
was indicted for an alleged libel on Henry Clay, and was 

held to bail in the sum of for his appearance at 

court. Mr. Brown declared himself prepared to meet the 
indictment, believing himself able to sustain the allega- 
tions rendered, by a number of '' competent witnesses," 
who had expressed their willingness to testify to the truth 
of his assertions. Having also secured the most eminent 
counsel and advice, in his friend the Hon. Alvan Stewart, 
who very generously contributed his services in behalf of 
Mr. Brown as defendant. 

In reference to the alleged libel, Mr. Brown published 
the following Circular, entitled 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. IIH 

CHARGES AGAINST HENRY CLAY SUSTAINED, 

and Albany Grand Jury Exposed- 

The Charges against Henry Clay. 

** A subject of some importance to the cause of human- 
ity, and which my position has compelled me to watch 
over with solicitude, and which now for the first time has 
compelled me to speak, is the efforts which are making 
for the election of Henry Clay to the Presidency of this 
nation. 

When these efforts first commenced, I supposed that 
they were only the efforts of a few reckless and unprinci- 
pled men, who. wished to get themselves into notice at the 
expense of the principles of common justice and human- 
ity. In this I have been sadly disappointed, time has 
proved that men who have heretofore passed as men, of 
more than common intelligence and honesty, were ready 
to use their influence in church and state, to secure the 
election to the highest office in the gift of the people of 
this union, a man whose public and private character has 
ever been a disgrace to a Christian nation. 

And let it be distinctly understood, that I have made 
no new charges against Mr. Clay. Of the crimes speci- 
fied in the hand bill, he is not only guilty, but notoriously 
guilty. He has himself published his own shame, if there 
is shame attached to these transactions. He has not even 
waited for political opponents to charge him with these 
crimes, but has let them shine with all their blighting, 
withering influence, upon the nation, as if he gloried in 
them." 

In this place, it may be sufficient to state, that his 
proofs were adequate to his statements ; and were afforded 
him by '* living and credible witnesses," among whom 
was Mr. Coffin, a well known philanthropist — then resi- 
dent of Philadelphia, who authorized a friend of Mr. 
Brown, to publish, that Henry Clay was not only a gambler, 
but that he had won and lost human beings at the gaming 
table. This fact, Mr. Coffin pledged himself to establish 
by the testimony of living witnesses, whenever those papers 
12 



134 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

which are endeavoring to palm the Kentuckian upon the 
people, would open its colums for their presentation. Also, 
the noted duels, in which Mr. Clay had either been acces- 
sary or principal, including that with John Randolph, and 
his influence or second hand in the death of Cilley ! 

Other statements were found in the public prints, such 
as his oath in the senate, when he said to a distinguished 
mem'ber of that body, when touching some point relative 
to slavery — Go home, &c. Another light in which Mr. 
Clay's conduct is considered in this circular, is presented 
under the following heads ; — 

" Theft, Robbery, Man-stealing, Slaveholding. 

As it regards the charges of thefl, robbery, man-steal- 
ing, and selling. I have only to remark that the first two 
are included in the last two. If the writer of this article 
should meet a fellowman, black or white, in the public 
highway, and there by violence and force, take from him 
only the money which he had earned by the labors of one 
day, that act would be termed highway robbery ; and for 
it, this commonwealth would compel him to spend a term 
of years in the State prison. How much greater would 
be the crime if the man was robbed of his earnings for 
life. Henry Clay not only robs the poor man of a single 
day's wages, but of the services of his life, steals his chil- 
dren, steals his wife, steals the man himself, &<c. Any 
who doubt this, please read the following from James 
Canning Fuller. 

Having a great desire to see the imported cattle on 
Henry Clay's plantation, I went thither. On approaching 
the house, I saw a colored man, to whom I said, ** Where 
wert thou raised ?" '* In Washington." ** Did Henry 
Clay buy thee there?" "Yes." "Wilt thou show me 
his improved cattle ?" He pointed to the orchard, and 
said the man who had charge of them was there. As I 
followed his direction, I encountered a very intelligent 
looking boy, apparently eight or nine years old. I said 
to him, " canst thou read?" " No." '* Is there a school 
for colored people on Henry Clay's plantation?" " No." 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 135 

" How old art thou ?" " Don't know." In the orchard 
I found a woman at work with her needle, I asked, "How 
old art thou? "A big fifty." "How old is that?" 
" Near sixty." " How many children hast thou ? " Fif- 
teen or sixteen." "Where are they?" "Colored folks 
don't know where their children is ; they are sent all over 
the country." " Where wert thou raised?" " Washing- 
ton." "Did Henry Clay buy thee there?" "Yes." 
" How many children hadst thou then ?" " Four." 
" Where are ihey ?" " I don't know. They tell me they 
are dead." The hut in which this " source of wealth " 
lives, was neither as good, nor as well-floored as my stable. 
Several slaves were picking fruit in the orchard ; I asked 
one of the young men whether they were taught to read on 
this plantation, and they answered no. I found the over- 
seer of the cattle with a short-handled stout whip, which 
had been broken. He said it answered both for a riding 
whip, and occasionally " to wipe off" the slaves." 

Other testimony might be given, but his own confes- 
sions, and even boasting of being a slave-holder, render it 
needless. ******* 

Appeal to Christians. 

You have before you a synopsis of a few of the many 
crimes which Henry Clay has been guilty. The fact 
that almost all southern and many northern public men, 
participate in them, does not in the least change their 
moral character. They are sins which God has de- 
clared utterly unfit a man for a ruler. God requires us 
to select such men only as rule in " Ms fear,'' and he 
" has denounced his most severe judgments against those 
nations who select any other." " He that ruleth over 
men must be just, ruling in the fear of God," — Is emphat- 
ically the mind of that infinite Being. And it is not left 
for us to decide whether we may or not choose any other. 
That is a concern which he has settled, and it is tramp- 
ling the plainest commands of Heaven under our feet to 
vote for such a man as Henry Clay. 



336 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BKOWIf. 



Ministers of Christ. 



Will you see this nation disgraced ? Will you see God 
dishonored and his word disregarded? Will you see 
Christ, and his cross, and the holy commands which he 
died to establish, treated with scorn and contempt, by the 
election of another man to the Presidency of this nation 
who prof anes the name of God, — who disregards the com' 
mon principles of justice and humanity, — who murders 
his fellow men to gratify his own ambition, — who robs God 
and buys and sells Jesus Christ in the market as a beast 
of burden, and who, to cap the climax of his impiety, lifts 
up his senatorial voice and teams the nation against any 
efforts which may be made to stop him in his unhallowed 
and God-defying crimes I Be entreated to show yourself 
worthy of the name you have taken by uttering the com- 
mands of high Heaven against the election of wicked 
rulers. What will sooner call down the tremendous 
judgments of Almighty God upon us, as a nation, than 
the choosing of wicked haters of humanity, and God, and 
blasphemers of his name to rule over us? 

Those who Support Henry Clay. 

The eyes of the foolish are blinded, and they vainly 
hope that by the election of a despiser of God and man, 
to the office of President of this Nation, to secure pecu- 
niary relief. Vain hope ! You may succeed in the for- 
mer, but God will certainly disappoint you in the latter. 
How plain the case. The party seeking to elevate Henry 
Clay to the Presidency, assume to be composed of the more 
respectable and Christian portion of the community. They 
have designed to pass as the friends of Improvement, Ed- 
ucation, Humanity and Religion. Admitting the truth of 
this assumption; how foolish to anticipate that a holy 
God will suffer them to prosper through the election of a 
man who is in principle and practice, directly opposed to 
the very principles which the party profess. Why not 
learn wisdom from the past. Only two years since, with 
the same high pretensions,, the party pined hands with 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 1^7 

despots, ^d secured the election of their favorite candi- 
dates. But where is the promised relief? The answer is 
short. That God, whom multitudes, even of professing 
Christians, dishonored by voting for a despot, took away 
your President, and left us all to the tender mercies of 
one of whom it may be emphatically said, ** When the 
WICKED bear rule the people mourn." That same God 
still lives to vindicate his own honor, by refusing you 
relief until you will cease despising him by voting to 
elevate vicious men to fill offices of the state and nation. 
It is really to be hoped that the party which is seeking to 
elevate a slaveholder, duelist and blasphemer, will lay 
aside all pretensions to Christianity, humanity or even de- 
cency. 

Ministers of Albany. 

This city is the seat of all the impious efforts in this 
state for the elevation of wicked men to office, and you 
are therefore under special obligation to raise your voices 
and hold up God's truth before this people. Many of you 
have warned your congregations against the evil tendency 
of the various excitements of the age, you have been faith- 
ful to the very letter of the word upon these minor points, 
will you not now, when an excitement is arising which if 
not checked, will overwhelm the nation and call down the 
just judgments of a holy God upon us — will you not, I 
ask, give the trumpet a certain sound, that the people may 
prepare themselves for battle. You that are Doctors of 
Divinity, I hope for the honor of the religion which you 
profess, will show that you have a sufficient regard for the 
Divine Law, to present a few truths like the following, in 
Ex. 18 : Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the peo- 
ple, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating cov- 
etousness : and place such — to be rulers, &/C. Also, 2 
Chron. xix, 7. And He (God) said to the judges, 
" Wherefore now let the fear of God be upon you; take 
heed and do it : for there is no iniquity with the Lord 
our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts." 
12* 



138 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



Mob. — City Authorities. — Effigy. 

The mob which made such a glorious display of tar, 
feathers, eggs, &lc. &c. was got up by the Clay and pro- 
slavery leaders, of this city ; and was but the revival of 
the hard cider and coon-skin arguments of 1840. Won- 
der if the Clayites are confined to such arguments as were 
exhibited at the Centre-market last Tuesday evening? 
Those Police officers who stood by and suffered the Effigy 
of a peaceable citizen to be burned, amid the shoutings 
of the rabble, are welcome to all the glory of the occasion. 
It was no more than could be expected from infidel and 
blaspheming men. It is also in perfect keeping with its 
object, for the Daily American Citizen to honor and pufF 
the mob. We should expect it of any paper engaged in 
advocating the elevation of a man, who if a resident of this 
state, and guilty of the crimes which have ever disgraced 
his character, would be condemned to State prison for 
life. Surely such an editor deserves our pity. We hope 
he may yet repent and find forgiveness. 

The other papers whose editors have so frequently fa- 
vored us with editorial notices of a certain description, 
are left in entire possession of the field. 

Conclusion. 

In conclusion, we wish to say to those who favored us 
with so much advice, that we have acted in this matter 
from a sense of duty, and as we should have desired 
another to act, were ive pining under the lash of Henry 
Clay. ABEL BROWN. 

Albani/, N. Y. July l^tli, 1842. 

Albany Grand Jury, vs. Humanity. 
Those Citizens of Albany who wish to obey the Truth. 

Respected Fellow Citizens : — My object in appear- 
inor before you through the press, is to give an unvarnished 
statement of facts respecting matters of interest to the 
cause of humanity and religion. For a proper under- 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 139 

Standing of the motive by which I have been actuated, 
and the interests at stake, it may not be improper to state, 
that I am acting as the corresponding secretary of the 
Eastern N. Y. Anti-Slavery Society, an office to which I 
was elected by a convention of citizens of Eastern N. Y. 
a small portion only of whom reside in this city. As the 
only official and General Agent of the Society, it becomes 
my duty to watch over its interests, and the humane ob- 
ject which it designs to accomplish, with the fidelity of a 
faithful servant. 

Soon after entering upon the duties assigned me, I was 
informed that a portion of the Police of this city, were 
engaged in efforts to obtain unlawful possession of free 
persons of color, for the avowed purpose of reducing them 
to slavery. In one case a warrant had been issued by 

Justice alledging that some unknown person had 

stolen an article of clothing, and that the same was secre- 
ted in a certain house, which the warrant gave them au- 
thority to search. The house was searched without any 
other success than that of being permitted to insult cer- 
tain innocent women who resided in it. Then all their 
pretended lawful authority ceased, even the warrant of 

Justice was dead. The officers however, without 

the least authority, (unless that of kidnappers) proceeded 
to search each and every house " that they in their wis- 
dom saw fit," and that too in the absence of the older 
male members of the families. They abused, insulted 
and frightened unprotected women, and in one case 
committed a gross assault and battery upon an innocent 
female, wife of a respectable citizen of this city. These 
facts having come to my knowledge, I visited the police 
office, and made a few inquiries respecting the conduct of 
its officers, but immediately learned that they considered 
me interfering with concerns, which belonged exclusively 
to themselves. The language used by some of them was 
too indecent to be recorded here. The constable who 
had committed the assault, was (upon the oath of the in- 
jured woman) arrested, and brought before Justice 

where the assault was clearly proved, but as a matter of 



140 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

course, the offender was discharged, and the friends of 
the colored people left to infer that they would receive no 
countenance from that court. There was however one 
important fact elicited by the complaint, to wit : that the 
constable had not the least shadow of authority for search- 
ing the house of the complainant. With these facts fully 
before us, complaint was made to the Grand Jury of the 
June Term, and the facts definitely proved, that said 
constable and his .associate did without any authority, 

enter the house of Mr. a colored man of this city, 

and there pushed and jammed, and endangered the life of 
his wife during his absence, until she would suffer him to 
search the premises for a colored person, whom he al- 
ledged to be a slave, but who was as free as any reader of 
this article. 

The Jury in their superior wisdom, refused to find a 
bill. 

How they came to such a conclusion is not for me to 
say, and they probably will never inform us. It looks 
mysterious that so plain a case of assault was not noticed. 
It would be insulting their intelligence to suppose that 
they had the most distant idea that the offender pushed 
the woman for a lawful purpose, or in a lawful manner. 

We should like to enquire of either of those gentlemen 
who was on that Grand Jury, who has a wife, if that con- 
stable had treated his wife as it was proved the police 
officer treated the one in question, whether they would 
think it justice to discharge the offender 1 

It may however, be proper to remark, that had that 
Grand Jury done its duty, the community would have 
been put in possession of many important facts, which 
might have led them to altogether different conclusions 
from those entertained by the police court of this city, 
and it might have opened the eyes of too many who are 
now blindly opposing the cause of the oppressed. The 
trial might also have brought to light some facts which 

would have made the slander suit, which Justice 

commenced against the editor of the Tocsin of Liberty, 
less profitable to the plaintiff. With the Grand Jury I 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



ui 



am unacquainted, and that they might have erred unin- 
tentionally do not deny, but that they have by this neglect 
encouraged a class of desperate ruffians, I have daily 
abundant and increasing evidence. How large a portion 
of this community will sustain them, remains yet to be 
seen. ******** 

Yours, &c. A. BROWN. 

Concerning this infringment of the colored man's rights 
in the invasion of his home, Mr. Goodwin makes the fol- 
lowing comments : 

" The poorest and the meanest white man can fly to our 
legal tribunals, and justice is swift to punish the man who 
has dared to do him wrong 

That citizen was a colored man, and such is the cold- 
ness and apathy of our courts — such is the perversion of 
the administration of public justice, that our magistrates 
can wink at injuries done to the black man, and frown him 
away from their tribunals. The offender was a white man 
— the sufferer was a colored man. The offender was an 
officer, " clothed with a little brief authority," and his vic- 
tim was of a proscribed rare. We, however, acknowledge 
not the purity of that justice which shields its satellites, 
and permits them to perpetrate outrage with impunity. 
We wish in this matter not to be misunderstood. We 
claim for all men in our state but an equality of rights. 
We claim that the tribunals of justice should be open alike 
to all — that the white man should not be privileged to op- 
press, nor the black man compelled to endure. Public 
justice, like the rains and dews of Heaven, should fall 
equally on all ; such is the spirit of our constitution, such 
is the genius of our laws. The law knows no distinction 
of color. The black man's home, and the persons of his 
family, are as sacred as those of the white man ; and the 
magistrate who would create or sanction a difference be- 
tween them, should be hurled from his seat, as a traitor to 
the principles of our constitution — a traitor to the beauti- 
ful system of equality of rights upon which our laws are 
based — as a caitiff that would poison the pure streams of 



142 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

public justice, and wield the power of his office, not to 
redress the wrongs of the injured, but to protect guilt and 
crime." 

The case was continued to another term, at which time, 
Mr. Brown again appeared as was stated in his Report to 
the Executive Committee, under date of Oct. 20th, '42 — 
Returned to Albany to attend Court, and meet the Indict- 
ments against me. After spending a week waiting for the 
trial to be called, was duly informed, that if the case was 
ever brought to trial, the District Attorney would give me 
sufficient notice to prepare for the trial. Thus terminated 
the contemptible design of the Clay men of this City, to 
destroy the influence of one, whom they tould not meet. 

The Report of the E. N. Y. A. S. Society contains an 
account af the final disposition of this affair, after the fol- 
lowing remarks by way of explanation : 

** These indictments were instigated by the leading whig 
influence of Albany. They had at the time the sanction 
of almost the entire whig press. Mr. Brown was denounc- 
ed as a Reverend slanderer, and as worthy of a place with 
criminals at Sing Sing. 

The Judge who presided and charged the Grand Jury 
was a whig. The Sheriff who had charge of the sub- 
poenaing the Grand Jury was a whig. The mass of the 
jury were whigs. The foreman was a very influential 
whig. Others were then and are now whig officeholders. 
The District Attorney vvas a whig. And finally, influen- 
tial whigs have had the entire control and management of 
the affair. The indictment was pushed with the utmost 
rigor until it was carried up to the Circuit Court, where 
whig influences could not be brought to bear upon it. The 
District Attorney came to the very wise conclusion that 
the indictment might remain hanging over your Secretary 
as a kind of whig rod to protect Henry Clay from perse- 
cution, (as the whig papers termed it.) 

The indictment remained in statu quo, when a change 
of Judges made a change in District Attorney, and among 
the last acts of the late District Attorney we find the fol- 
lowing motion. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 143 



General Sessions of the Peace, March Term. 

Thursday, March 23, 1844. 

Present — Hon. Peter Gansevoort, First Judge. Hon. J. 
a. Wilson, Hon. R. W. Murphy, Hon. R. J. Hilton 
Judges. 

The People vs. Abel Brown. — Libel on Henry Clay. 
On motion of A. G. Wheaton, Dist. Att'y. Ordered that 
a Nolle Prosequi be and the same is hereby entered in this 
cause. 

The People vs. Abel Brown. — Libel on Thurlow Weed 
and others. On motion of H. G. Wheaton, Dist. Att'y. 
Ordered that a Nolle Prosequi be and the same is hereby 
entered in this cause. 

Copy. WILLIAM MIX, Clerk. 

The county paid the costs in this prosecution of Mr. 
Brown, instigated by the wealthy and influential whigs of 
Albany. The cost to Mr. B. for moneys paid out and time 
spent has been no inconsiderable amount. 

The sequel has however demonstrated one fact, to wit : 
That the whig party, after all their pretended conscious- 
ness of the purity of the character of their candidate for 
the presidency, dare not suffer that character to be tested 
before a legal tribunal." 

After the indictment was over, (on a refusal of trial,) 
the assertion was slill industriously circulated, that Mr. 
Brown was a " Reverend slanderer," &:-c. Neither had 
his prosecutors the justice or magnanimity, to retract the 
charge or falsify the assertion. His name also appeared 
in a book entitled " Sargeant's Life of Henry Clay," in 
which he is represented as a slanderer of this popular 
Statesman. For these reasons, I feel it my duty, though 
a painful task, when I recount his sufferings and the per- 
secution he received, to present the facts in vindication of 
his character from the assaults of his enemies ; and to give 
an explanation of the whole affair, not by my own infer- 
ences, but from the account rendered by Mr. Brown him- 
self. 



144 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

No person held higher estimation of Mr. Clay's intel- 
lectual superiority and ability as a statesman than Mr. 
Brown. In reference to which, he used to remark, that 
his influence was proportionably the more dangerous to the 
interests of the slave question. 

As a professed teacher of Christianity, and of the God 
given rights of liberty to man, Mr. Brown could not fail 
to expose '' wickedness in high places," as the only effect- 
ual mode of purifying the lesser influences, or minor sour- 
ces of evil. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Scenes of Domestic Affliction— Death of his Wife — The two White Fugi- 
tives — Report of Vigilance Committee— Lewis Washington, the Fugi- 
tive Slave Lecturer — Mr. Brown visits Massachusetts — Our first ac- 
quaintance — Correspondence. 

In the midst of various and conflicting duties at this time, 
Mr. Brown was called to witness the sickness and death 
of his beloved companion — his counsellor and friend, and 
one who, when foes thickened around — amid the stormy 
rage of persecution and strife, would bid him " go," say- 
ing, " duty is yours, consequences are with God," 

The following Obituary notice is taken from the Golden 
Rule, published in Albany. 

Death of the Editress. 

Mrs. Mary Ann B. Brown, the beloved Editress of the 
Golden Rule, died at her residence in this city, on Thurs- 
day, the 4th inst., in the 27th year of her age. 

The sickness which has thus terminated the life of this 
excellent woman, was extremely severe, and of about eight 
weeks duration. The closing scene, however, was per- 
fectly calm and peaceful — it was the departure of one, 

" who sinks to rest, 
With heaven's approving sentence blest." 



MElvfOIR OF ABEL BROWN. l4§ 

Every friend of this paper will feel that the death of 
Mrs. B. is a great and personal bereavement ; for we need 
not say, she was deeply and truly devoted to the interests 
it advocates. For the improvement of her sex, in what- 
ever things are pure, and lovely, and of good report, she 
esteemed no sacrifice too great, no labor too arduous. Both 
the vigorous and graceful productions of her own pen, and 
the remarkably judicious and tasteful selections, which 
have appeared in this paper, will long remain to preserve 
and honor her memory. 

But, beside the important relation in which Mrs. B. 
stood to the public, there were more sacred and tender 
ties which bound her to life. She was a young wife and 
mother. A husband, and two little children — the young- 
est but five weeks of age — survive her death. We mourn, 
but not as them that have no hope ; for above the voice of 
our lamentation, is heard the sweet and earnest assurance 
of Christian faith — '* Blessed are the dead who die in the 
Lord ; yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their 
labors, and their works do follow them." C. V. L. 

Among the benevolent eflforts of Mrs. Brown, she had 
succeeded (in connection with the Golden Rule Associa- 
tion) in establishing a home for Orphan girls, or an asy- 
lum for the destitute and unfortunate, which was in suc- 
cessful operation at the time of her death ; and there was 
no subject of reform, or enterprise of the age, in which 
she did not feel and manifest the most lively and decided 
interest. 

To his friends — concerning this affliction, Mr. Brown 
writes, — " She talked of death without the least apparant 
fear, and frequently said, I am not afraid to die. She 
would not give the least direction relative to the future 
arrangements of her family, only would say, that God 
would direct it all better than she could. My own feel- 
ings have been indescribable — but I have felt and known 
that it was all right. I have realized, during her dying 
hours, the meaning of that sentence — " Motherless chil- 
dren." My dear Walter, felt her death most severely — 
13 



146 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

He would not be consoled. He stood by her bed and 
kissed her again and again, and cried aloud, *' she must 
not die — Ma' must not die." He says, she has gone to 
Heaven — but then he adds, that dreadful sentence, " she 
will not come back." He thinks Heaven is a good place, 
but Ma' will stay there — will never visit us again on earth. 
But neither tears — nor groans — nor prayers — nor sighs, 
could make her stay another moment. I laid my hand 
upon her heart and felt it quietly cease to beat — Oh, 
what an hour was that ! 

We closed her eyes and retired to our chamber, and 
there commended ourselves and friends to God, who is 
ever ready to listen to all our cries. The friends laid out 
the body. Walter got flowers and placed around that 
precious face. Often would he go and sweetly kiss that 
cold cheek. Soon after she died, he wanted me to get 
the Bible and read about the place where Ma' had gone — 
I read and gave him the Bible description of Heaven. He 
seemed pleased with it and listened with fixed attention, and 
burst into tears and cried — '* Oh, she will not come back." 

*' Rev. C, Van Loon and Rev. George Storrs attended 
the funeral, and many went to the grave, although it 
rained incessantly. The colored people came to weep 
around her coffin. She had ever been their friend, and 
they deeply felt that in losing her, they had lost one who 
felt their dreadful sufferings. There are in the city, 
many who have been slaves — whenever I see them they 
express their grief, often in tears. They know and feel 
that they have lost one whose house was a refuge for the 
poor and the oppressed, and who knew how to defend 
them from the attack of their enemies." 

Amid these scenes of domestic affliction, when the 
heart most needs sympathy, and the eye turns silently for 
relief and tenderness of treatment, Mr. Brown was sur- 
rounded by men of violence and blood ; who, ere the re- 
mains of his deceased wife were removed, threatened the 
destruction of his house — and he often was obliged to 
seek refuge at night in some habitation of his friends, 
unknown to his enemies. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWxV. 147 

From the Reports of Mr. Brown, it seems that he was 
often obliged to prepare the way in making arrangements 
for himself and others to lecture ; or in other words, to 
precede his own appointments. He thus performed much 
incidental business not connected with the official duties 
of his station. Especially, was this the case in the early 
part of his labors for the slave in N. Y. Much success 
attended his efforts at this period, and the attention of 
the community seems to have been effectually aroused to 
the great question of his advocacy. While in some of 
the numerous Conventions, held by Mr. Brown, perfect 
order and quiet prevailed, others presented scenes of vio- 
lence and outrage. 

In the autumn of 1842, a riotous scene occurred in Au- 
burn (N. Y.) at a Convention held by Mr. Brown, con- 
cerning which, a few particulars are given from an ac- 
count published by Mr. Hopkins, a well known friend of 
the cause in that place. 

" At the hour appointed, a respectable audience had 
assembled to hear Mr. Brown's lecture, and the meeting 
organized by the appointment of a chairman, when the 
ruffianism, which had been in course of preparation through 
the day, came in, and began to manifest itself in hisses 
and continued stamping. When the noise had subsided 
in part, the chairman remarked that a large majority 
present were the friends of order, and requested that they 
might be allowed to hear the lecture undisturbed ; when 
our heroes and their leader, again with one accord, began, 
" Nine cheers for Henry Clay," &:,c. Henry Clay was 
evidently a favorite, and when a voice could again be 
heard it was remarked that Henry Clay should consider 
himself under lasting obligation for this devotion of his 
friends.^ The meeting, however, was not restored to 
order, although the Deputy Sheriff was present, and (lam 
informed) other officers of the peace, and indications of a 
determination to assault the speaker, and threats of per- 
sonal violence were made. On the suggestion of the 
Deputy Sheriff, the chair announced the meeting ad- 
journed — and under protection of that officer, and the 



148 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN, 

friends of good order present, Mr. Brown retired to the 
store of a friend, followed by a mob apparently anxious to 
shed his blood. At this crisis, I take pleasure in stating 
that all political lines appeared to be forgotten by our 
respectable citizens, both of the Whig and Democratic 
parties, who seemed anxious to defend the right of discus- 
sion, and the reputation of our goodly village ; and I am 
exceedingly mistaken if this disgraceful mob, got up by a 
few unprincipled Whig leaders here, to prevent the expos- 
ure of Henry Clay's robberies of more than fifty laboring 
men and women, does not open the eyes of good men 
who have heretofore identified themselves with the Whig 
party. Honest men cannot long be used as the tools to 
exalt such baseness to official station. The Christian 
portion of this community cannot long remain tied, in 
their political relations, to the support of a man for the 
chief magistracy of this nation, who buys and sells our 
Lord Jesus Christ, in the persons of his oppressed chil- 
dren. 

On the arrival of the cars, Mr. Brown, surrounded by 
a large number of respectable citizens, proceeded from 
the store where he had taken refuge, to the car-house, 
followed by the mob, swelled by the accession of many, 
who, I am informed, had been in attendance at the Whig 
meeting. While proceeding to the cars, several attempts 
were made by the mob to assault Mr. Brown, but the 
firmness of his friends prevented. Some assaults were 
made with canes, but I am not aware that any blood was 
shed." . 

During this season of Southern emigration, Mr. Brown 
frequently invited interesting and intelligent fugitive slaves, 
to accompany him in the work of his agency. Of one 
who had been a slave more than fifty years, he thus writes, 
in giving notice of a lecture — " Mr. Ramsay will relate 
his experience and history while a slave in this goodly 
* Christian land ;' also, an account of the heart rending 
scenes which occurred at different times in his family, 
while the ruthless tyrant tore from him his children to the 
number of eleven, and sold them to the unfeeling traders^ 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 149 

into the far South, to be worked to death on the cotton and 
rice fields and sugar plantations." 

Concerning another attendant, Mr. Brown writes — 

" Rochester, Oct. 19, 1842, 5 A. M. 

" I arrived here about an hour since in company with 
the white slave, Wm. Johnson. 

*' Yesterday we called at Rome, and attended a meeting 
of the N. Y. S. Baptist A. S. Convention. There were 
present a large number of delegates, all of whom appear- 
ed to sympathise deeply with the slave. In the P. M. Wm. 
was introduced to the meeting, and gave them a brief re- 
lation of his experience. The assembly were deeply inter- 
ested in his statements, and manifested their interest, by 
raising eight dollars to defray his expenses from Albany to 
Canada, whither Wm. will soon go. He will probably ar- 
rive in that happy land tomorrow. At Utica I called with 
William, on Hon. Alvan Stewart, who manifested his in- 
terest in his welfare by making him a liberal donation. 
Mr. S. also introduced him to his family, and it was truly 
delightful, to see that noble man and his family listening to 
the tale of sorrow of a poor oppressed brother ; to hear 
and see their expressions of sympathy ; to see William 
take courage as the tears of his auditors rolled down their 
cheeks. When we left, Mr. S. spoke many encouraging 
words to the affrighted and distressed fugitive, that great- 
ly calmed his fears, and led him to exclaim as we passed 
from the yard, " God bless that man !" He's a good 
man 1" " How I should like to live with him !" " If I 
ever come back I will call and see him !" From that 
hour, William began to feel that there w«re white men 
who could be trusted ; joy beamed in his countenance. 
A few hours after, he received the kind hospitalities and 
aid of the Baptist Anti-Slavery Convention. It would 
have filled you with additional delight, after all you have 
witnessed, to have seen William after we got into the cars ; 
he was perfectly happy ; he sung ; he jumped ; he thank- 
ed God ; he blessed the convention ; he blessed Mr. Stew- 
art ; he said again and again, " God has delivered me." 
13* 



150 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN, 

Then he was filled with grief at the thought of his broth- 
ers and sisters in slavery. He told us of one* who drown- 
ed herself upon hearing that she was sold to go to Geor- 
gia. Oh that cursed system that has robbed such a man 
of himself" 

Mr. Brown also labored in Western N. Y., *' attended 
by Milton Clark, a white slave who was rescued by the 
patriotic citizens of the (Ohio) Western Reserve, from 
Kentucky blood hounds, who had caught and bound him, 
and were carrying him back into perpetual slavery. Mr. 
Brown held forth to large gatherings, and the people list- 
ened with marked attention." .... 

In Nov. '42, Mr. Brown visited Canada, and in writing 
from Dawn Mills, describes a number of slaves, whom be 
had assisted in Alhany to this home of the oppressed, as 
*' well, contented, and happy; and unwilling to return to the 
kind embrace of their affectionate masters." 

At this time a reward was offered by certain gentlemen 
in Baltimore, to one of the City Constables of Albany, of 
fifteen hundred dollars for the apprehension of Brown, 
Torrey and E. W. Goodwin ; concerning which, informa- 
tion was published that " each of them would go to Balti- 
more for half that sum, provided the money was only de- 
posited in a good bank, or any way, in which they might 
be sure that the money would be paid ; as they were in 
great need of funds, to help the poor fugitives who were 
escaping from their ungodly man market — Sodomite vil- 
lanies, and barbarian oppressions." 

Dec. 12, 1842. 

It appears frqm the first Annual Report of the Vigilance 
Committee of Albany, that " no less than 350 fugitives 
had been aided to a place of safety by the Committee, at 
an expense of more than one thousand dollars. Through 
the efforts of the Committee, every attempt to recover 
these victims of oppression, on the part of slave catchers 
in connection with Albany Constables, Police officers and 



* This statement was corroborated by a member of Congress (Mr 
Gates.) 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 151 

Judges, had proved ineffectual. In one case, the deter- 
mination in the release of slaves was made on the ground, 
that the United States Court alone could entertain the 
question of slavery. That by the late decision of the 
court in the celebrated slave case between Maryland and 
Pennsylvania, the law of Congress alone, founded on the 
constitutional provision, could be applied to the recapture 
of runaway slaves." — Vide Peters' Reports. 

At the Annual Meeting of the E. N. Y. A. S. Society, 

April 26, 1842. 

*' On motion of C. T. Torrey, the following resolution 
passed unanimously. 

Resolved, That the Executive Committee be author- 
ized to collect and disburse funds for the purpose of aid- 
ing fugitive slaves, at their discretion, accounting for the 
same to the society, as a part of the general 'duties of the 
committee." 

The propriety of this resolution, will be seen from the 
fact, that some of the members of the Executive Commit- 
tee, were already among the official members of the Com- 
mittee of Vigilance in Albany. Mr. Torrey had also been 
instrumental in supplying the Committee with this species 
of merchandize, for transportation or disposal in the free 
States, as might best suit their convenience. One, who 
was thus assisted by Mr. Torrey and secreted by Mr. 
Brown, until the time arrived that all suspicion had ceas- 
ed, or the chase was apparently over, afterward became 
his friend and travelling companion, in pleading the cause 
of the oppressed. Though unaccustomed to our northern 
winters, he travelled in connection with Mr. Brown — often 
through snows impassable, by any mode of conveyance 
except '' on foot." At one time, they were thus obliged 
to walk twelve miles, or rather wade through banks of 
snow, to meet an appointment of a meeting. Although a 
strong athletic man, he could hardly compete with Mr. 
Brown in this kind of travelling. Yet all this he could 
cheerfully endure, and more, in view of his brethren and 



153 MEMaiR OF ABEL BROWN. 

sisters pining under the lash of their cruel task masters 
on a southern plantation. 

In company with this fugitive (Lewis Washington) Mr. 
Brown visited Massachusetts, in the winter of 1842, when 
our acquaintance was first formed. 

A few extracts from our correspondence are given, as 
farther illustrative of his efforts and character. 

" The suggestion which is made, respect- 
ing the efforts of Vigilance Committees, being only one 
branch of the subject of emancipation, is equally applica- 
ble to any other branch. One person cannot do every 
thing, yet the individual efforts of one may be the lever, 
which will overturn the great bastile of slavery. As well 
might we say, to help Lundsford Lane was only one branch ; 
to help Geo. Lattimore is only one branch ; to purify the 
church is only one branch ; to oppose liberty party is only 
one branch, &c. &lc. The facts are these : A person can 
make one branch of any subject a *' hobby" — can spend 
all his talk and sympathy on one human being, or if he is 
capable, can spread out the great subject, and make one 
slave the representative of millions, as you truly remark- 
ed. I have spent halt a day in giving the history of a 
single woman, and when I had finished, I had told all that 
two or three hours would permit, concerning the entire 
system of slavery, and demonstrated the truth of what 1 
had said, by the example before me 

I have not answered all of your enquiries, but my sheet 
is full, and I am obliged to see a man, who has just paid 
the last installment for his wife and eight children in Rich- 
mond, Va. We hope to make an agent of him. He 
comes recommended by the Governor of Va. Pie has 
worked fifty years, to free himself and family." 

In relation to a respite from his labors, on a visit to his 
children, who, soon after the death of Mar^ Ann (his wife) 
were placed under the care of their maternal relatives, 
Mr. Brown writes to myself the following i 

Fi-edoma, April Sd, 1843. 
" If you had been for nine months^ driv- 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 153 

en by the raging winds upon the boisterous ocean, you 
would know how to appreciate five days of rest, in the 

sweet retirement of home 

The foolish think me reckless, and suppose that I re- 
joice and delight in arousing all the tumults and strife, 
which it is possible to excite in the community ; but these 
are not the elements on which I live, or which give me 
any pleasure. In quietude as the stillness of the morning 
or silence of the evening, I should delight to live. My 
duty to God and ray fellow men, alone urge me on and tear 
me from the sweetness of retirement and communion with 
God. Yet as much self-denial as it costs, I am determin- 
ed, with divine assistance, to not suffer myself to be hind- 
ered by outward circumstances, from laboring to bless 
others with the blessings, which to me, are so dear. God 
will not suffer me to rest, while others are deprived of the 
precious blessings designed by our Heavenly Father for 
all mankind 

Answer to the last Communication. 

I was glad to find that you were resting 

at the quiet home of your dear children. Rest again, and 

again, but not give o'er, till the ' battle's fought,' the ' vic- 
tory won.' I am afraid that you can not live long, amid 
so much toil and excitement consequent to a laborer, whose 
whole soul is absorbed in following Him who " went about 
doing good." Not that I would have you exercise less 
faith in Him who has said, " my grace is sufficient for 
thee, and as thy day is so shall thy strength be also." Yet, 
we should have some regard to our physical constitution 
and strength of endurance. * * * * 

The extreme toil to which he subjected himself, caused 
the apprehension of his friends for the safety of his health, 
and drew from them many a gentle heed of admonition ; 
neither could they see how he could do less with the nu- 
merous responsibilities devolving upon him, in a cause, the 
burden and privilege of sustaining which, so few are found 
willing to share. 

In consequence of my own personal efforts in the Anti- 



154 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

Slavery cause, I was suffering much opposition and re- 
proach ; and the circumstances of my position in the church 
and elsewhere, were both peculiar and afflictive ; and a 
correspondence with so kind a friend as Mr. Brown, was 
indeed a consolation to my wounded heart. 

In one of his letters, he thus expresses himself: 

How kindly this world treats me, when 

compared with the treatment of the Saviour of mankind. 

I deeply sympathize with you in your trials and contra- 
dictions in H., and I have feared lest they might lead even 
yourself, to feel otherwise than the Saviour did, when he 
wept over Jerusalem. 

Oh how noble to rise above every feeling 

of impatience or hatred, and to look down with the deep 
feelings of pity and compassion, which possessed the bo- 
som of Him, who, even upon the cross, cried, '' Father 
forgive them for they know not what they do." May that 
spirit constantly fill our minds ; then and then only, do we 
become God like. Then and only then, do we assume the 
place worthy an immortal spirit. How elevated is such a 
high and holy position 



CHAPTER XV. 

Visit to New York— Subsequent Marriage— Anniversary of tlie Eastern N. 
Y. A. S. Society — City Association in behalf of tlie oppressed— Labors 
in New York— Convention in New Jersey— Plireuological character of 
Mr. Brown, given by O. S. Fowler. 

Agreeable to previous arrangement with Mr. Brown, I 
started from my home in Massachusetts for New York, 
on May the 8th inst. in a " Car of Emancipation " (liter- 
ally) inasmuch, as it was exclusively filled with the friends 
of freedom, on our way to attend the Anniversaries of the 
American A. S. Society, and other meetings of similar 
interest, usually held in New York at this season. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 159 

Mr. Brown had previously returned to the city, on 
some preliminary business, connected with the Annual 
Convention of the Anti-Slavery Society of Eastern N. Y. 
In anticipation of my arrival — After giving some direc- 
tions relative to travelling, Mr. Brown writes, " I shall be 
at the Dock icithout fail, (Providence permitting) I wish 
you would stand upon the upper deck of the Boat, as she 
comes up the dock, and then I will see you." On cross- 
ing the Sound, mid the starry brilliancy of night, cheered 
by the music of the Hutchinsons, like the voice of many 
waters, we arrived at the Port of New York at break of 
day, and while admiring the scene on deck, I found my 
ever faithful friend ready to escort me on shore. The 
week following, on May 15th, 1843, we were married. 
Our union was based on the immutable principles of truth 
and love, and therefore indissoluble. 

Mr. Brown I esteemed for his zeal and valor in contest 
with the enemies of God and man. If in the days of 
chivalric deeds, many a heart was won, and many a song 
was sung, in honor of the " bravest knight," how much 
more worthy, (to say nothing of the pretended virtue of 
the former) is he, who has contended bravely in defence 
of the right ; — not with carnal weapons, but through the 
instrumentalities of the spirit, aiming only at the destruc- 
tion of evil for the perpetuation of good. 

Having received an appointment of agency from the 
Executive Committee of the Eastern N. Y. Anti-Slavery 
Society, to labor in behalf of the cause, I had left home 
and friends, and all that my heart held dear in my native 
state, for the iulfilment of this object. 

Subsequent to the Annual Convention of the E. N. Y. 
A. S. Society, a special meeting was held through the in- 
fluence of Mr. Brown, for the purpose of forming a City 
Association, to facilitate the progress of the cause in New 
York and vicinity. The platform was free, and occupied 
by speakers irrespective of party organization, and the 
addresses from fugitives slaves, was a living demonstra- 
tion of the need of such efforts, as were in contemplation 
in this city. A little white boy of five years old, was in- 



156 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

troduced to the assembly, who had been purchased in 
Florida, at auction, by a gentleman who attended the sale, 
for the sum of fifty dollars. Another white slave (a fugi- 
tive) was also present, whose master had chased him to 
this city some years previous. Much interest was mani- 
fested on the part of friends in the objects of the occasion. 
A handsome subscription was collected, and such was the 
enthusiasm, that money was even thrown from the galleries 
into the desk while Mr. Brown was speaking. One girl, 
formerly a slave, very modestly gave ten dollars. 

On the ensuing Sabbath, Mr. Brown preached at one of 
the colored churches. The assembly was to me, both a 
novel and affecting scene. 

During our stay in New York (of nearly three months) 
we labored with direct reference to the objects of the 
Association — in the dissemination of tracts, public lec- 
tures, &c. in short, in every way that the exigences of 
the cause seemed to require. A strong hold is this me- 
tropolitan city for the oppressed. Slaveholding interest 
reigns in the ascendency here, yet faithful hearts are there 
too, who have pledged their lives to the sacred cause of 
freedom. One German, I remember particularly, — his 
wife an English lady, — they both devoted their time and 
money to the cause, and were exceedingly kind and hos- 
pitable to us as agents in the enterprise. Some young 
men were also ardently engaged in the cause. H. Dres- 
ser, a leading and efficient member of the Executive Com- 
mittee, was often called to plead in behalf of the fugitive, 
on a writ of habeas corpus. Various meetings were held 
on those summer evenings, in behalf of the slave, and oc- 
casional interest was manifested. It was our privilege to 
board at a place in company with a literary gentleman, 
Monseiur De Cen Tremme, a zealous friend of human 
rights ; and who was ever ready to advocate the cause on 
all suitable occasions. The ladies of New York, many of 
them were ready and willing to aid and assist in this phi- 
lanthropic design. An interesting meeting of ladies was 
held at our rooms ; three of the number had been slaves. 
One of them conversed fluently with the Frenchman al- 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 15*35- 

luded to. She having been the slave of a French woman, 
resident of New Orleans. She had visited France with 
" her mistress," and had always been a favorite attendant 
in their journeyings. She accompanied '' her master " to 
New York, Suffering under a disease of the eyes, he 
had come to receive some ocular remedy. Being thus 
afflicted, he was obliged to walk blindfold through the 
streets, with his slave by his side. He had the impression 
(she said) that she would never leave him — but he was 
mistaken ; she never left New York ! The stories of all 
were of an interesting character. One female who had 
been a slave, called the same afternoon and showed me 
her arm, most dreadfully scarred by the whip. Those 
who were present, I hope will never forget the stories re- 
lated by these daughters of affliction. Yet they seemed 
cheerful and happy on that occasion, for they found sym- 
pathy, and were conscious of freedom. Mrs. Lane, wife 
of an imprisoned husband, seemed alone sad. Much in- 
terest was excited in his behalf at this time ; a tract in 
relation to his case, (having been writen by myself) and 
extensively circulated. Yet this same man, James D. 
Lane, lies now incarcerated within the walls of Richmond 
Penitentiary, for the alledged crime of assisting fugitive 
slaves ; sentenced for twelve years from 1843, One half 
of his time only has expired ! A woman called one day 
to see Mr. Brown, in relation to her husband, whom she 
suspected had been sold by the Captain of a vessel, (in 
which he sailed) for a slave on the coast of Brazil. She 
was filled with anxiety and fearful apprehension Such 
being often the fate of the poor colored seamen on the 
Brazilian shores. Petitions have been sent to Congress, 
signed by hundreds of merchants and others in New 
York interested in commerce with the southern continent, 
in reference to their detention, for the sole purpose of re- 
ducing them to slavery. I mention these cases to show 
how we were employed, and what kind of work is needed 
in that city. In most cases, we could offer them only our 
sympathy, which is never lost to their wounded hearts. 
On one of our Antislavery trips across the river, we called 
14 



158 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

at the house of a colored friend, and there found a white 
man and his family, who had just escaped from the fangs of 
the slave monster in South Carolina. The man was 
about to have been sold by his half-brother, to defray the 
expenses of his wife's last sickness in paying the Doctor's 
bill. No trace of African blood could we discover ; the 
indication was perceptible alone in his black curly hair. 
As a proof that his children were quite Anglo Saxon, I 
need only to add, that he took them to a colored school, 
and the father was told by the teacher, that she did not admit 
white children. A little fair white boy, (once a slave) con- 
cerning whom allusion has previously been made, was 
also present at some of Mr. Brown's meetings. He now 
stood (not upon the auction block) but upon a free table, 
at a meeting for liberty, while Mr. Brown portrayed the 
features of that vile and abominable system, that would 
thus rob an innocent and lovely child of the dearest rights 
that God has given. 

The amount of good done, resulting from our labors, it 
is difficult to determine ; especially in such a metropolis 
as New York. 

Lewis Washington, the fugitive slave, and laborer with 
Mr. Brown, was with us part of the time in New York, 
and also accompanied us to New Jersey, where we spent a 
week enjoying the hospitalities of Mr. Sayres and family, 
at Elizabethtown. In this place and vicinity, a number 
of meetings were held, at which the colored people, (quite 
numerous) flocked around Lewis with the warmest mani- 
festations of interest and good will. 

Many of them had just emerged from the chaos of sla- 
very, and I never shall forget their illuminated faces at 
our meetings. At one of them, a woman cried out, (amid 
much confusion in the assembly,) when Lewis was speak- 
ing, and said, " it is true, for I have seen the same in 
Washington." 

Mr. Sayre's family once held slaves, but were now, in 
view of their former position, humble and penitent aboli- 
tionists. Mr. S. was often much affected and would weep 
like a child over his past sin of slaveholding: and he had 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 159 

sent for us, through the interposition of a friend, to make 
them a visit. 

His aged slave, or at least the one whom he was 
obliged to retain and support by law, was past the age of 
release. She was then more than fourscore years. Her 
name was Kate. Although offered a home by Mr. S. in 
his family, she chose to live with a little boy, a grandson, 
the only remaining one of eleven children ; of nine or ten 
of whom she had been inhumanly robbed. Her husband, 
who was a coach driver, had been sold by his master, to 
meet the loss occasioned by his horses being precipitated 
into the river, through the falling of a bridge. The price 
of the slave (who barely escaped breaking his neck) was 
undoubtedly an equivalent in the mind of the slaveholder. 
She, the wife, had also been sold, and once for an old 
wagon. Many heartrending accounts were related to me 
by their weeping wife and daughters, concerning many 
circumstances in connection with slavery within their own 
personal knowledge ; but I must forbear the recital, and 
return to those incidents, more immediately connected 
with the subject of my history. 

During our residence in New York, Mr. Brown was in- 
duced to call at the Phrenological Office of the Fowlers, 
more as a matter of curiosity than otherwise. Being a 
perfect stranger, his policy was to say little as possible — 
assuming the most careless, indifferent air (a perfect non- 
chalance.) The chart given by Mr. O. S. Fowler, is con- 
sidered by his friends as almost a perfect likeness of his 
natural traits and character. He pronounced him at once, 
a public man, and engaged on moral subjects, and as an 
advocate of human rights. His intellectual and moral 
qualities are represented as so combined, as to constitute 
a radical Reformer ; and, as also possessed of those quali- 
ties, that rendered him eminently social, and an attached 
friend in the domestic relations of life. His mental activ- 
ity, or nervous temperament, far superceded his vitality 
and strength of system. 

He remarks in his written character, that he '' is called 
imprudent, but is in fact cautious. Does things in an 



160 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

original way — is sui generis and toto celo — mind naturally 
passes rapidly — possess versatility of talent. With the 
highest reasoning powers, he also united great firmness and 
stability of character, yet possessed of too little self-respect 
or esteem. This deficiency was however, in a great 
measure obviated by his strong love of approbation, and 
large conscientiousness. His organ of benevolence, he 
states of the highest order, with large ideality and mirth- 
fulness, causing him to argue through the reductio ad 
absurdum ;" and the satire sometimes intermingled with 
his lectures, may have caused in part the ire and opposi- 
tion of his enemies. Of his propelling or executive facul- 
ties, he says, " you have enough high pressure in your 
composition to build two steam boats and keep them 
running — go through every thing with a positive force." 
"Is cautious in commencing, but when he has begun 
stops for no one and no thing." It was this determined 
force and resolution in acting, that caused many to sup- 
pose him reckless and imprudent ; but this was not the 
case. No one calculated results or counted the cost 
more closely than he did ; and the opposition he received 
in the moral enterprises of the day, were what he antici- 
pated, in view of past history, the prophecies of Christ, 
and the present state of public opinion. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

The Slave Musician — A Western Tour— Letters — Visits Massachusetts- 
Return to Albany— Continuation of Efforts in behalf of the Slave- 
Mr. Brown's Political Views— His continued interest in the Temper- 
ance Cause— Letter to the Mayor of Albany. 

Among the escaped fugitives, at this season of our so- 
journ in New York, two arrived from North Carolina, in 
company with a white man as their assumed master. 
One of the slaves had been a celebrated violinist, and 



MEMOIR OP ABEL BROWN. 161 

theatrical player in some of the cities of the south. His 
musical skill, manners and conversation were such as to 
evince the truth of his statements. 

This summer, Mr. Brown was enabled to fulfil his long 
contemplated project of visiting '* the West." We accor- 
dingly started from New York the latter part of June; 
having made previous arrangements to hold a series of 
Conventions on our route to Wisconsin. The fugitive 
slave musician accompanied us some part of the way, 
and his performances as a player, added much to the in- 
terest of the meetings. He seldom spoke, except when 
interrogated by the audience, and then his answers were 
always pertinent and to the point. 

Agreeable to invitation, on ** the Fourth" of July, we 
attended a County Convention at Canandaigua. 

An extract from the Official Report in reference to the 
occasion, is as follows ; — 

The large Court House in the village, was filled at an 
early hour by the sterling yeomanry from every town in 
the county, and such firmness and determination as appar- 
ently influenced the immense assembly, we have never 
witnessed in any Convention of the kind held in this 
county heretofore 

After an eloquent address by Abel Brown, of Albany, 
who in a clear and forcible manner described the influ- 
ence of the slave power on the North — the sufferings of 
our enslaved brethren — the inevitable ruin into which 
slavery is rapidly hurrying the whole country, and the 
guilt of the North in sustaining this system of cruelty and 
blood, — the business Committee reported the following, 
among other resolutions of a spirited character, which 
received the unanimous assent of the Convention. 

Resolved, That the wickedness and hypocrisy of the 
people of this country, is fully manifested — in boasting of 
their freedom and Independence, while they hold 2,500,- 
000 of their fellow countrymen in chains and slavery ; 
and we are loudly called upon to-day, to humble ourselves 
before God, to confess our sins and seek forgiveness — by 
breaking every yoke and letting the oppressed go free." 
14* 



162 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

The Convention were much annoyed by the noise of a 
cannon, which some gentlemen of Canandaigua placed 
under the Court House windows. The motives which 
actuated those who placed the gun in that position, were 
duly appreciated by the Convention. 

Thomas Pollock, a very intelligent fugitive, three 
weeks from North Carolina, gave a very interesting ac- 
count to the Convention, of his suiFerings and escape 
from slavery. 

Liberty songs were sung by Mrs. Brown. 

" A nobler strife, the "world ne'er saw 
Tke enslaved to disenthral 3 
I am a soldier for the war, 
Whatever may befall." 

JOHN MOSHER, Secretary. 
Canandaigua, July 4, 1843. 

A letter from our estimable friend Henry Bradley, ad- 
dressed to C. T. Torrey, is given in reference to other 
Conventions in that vicinity. 

I*enn Yann, July \Oth, '43. 
Great anxiety, is every where felt by the friends of the 
slave and of humanity, to hear of the advances of the 
cause and of its triumphs ; for it begins to have triumphs ; 
or rather in the midst of the weary and desolate desert of 
long continued ecclesiastical, political and mob opposition, 
and violence, we have come to find not only an occasional, 
but frequently a refreshing Oasis, or what I suppose Al- 
van Stewart would call — the luxury of abolition. Last 
Thursday and Friday, we held an Antislavery Mass Con- 
vention, at the village of Branchport, in the town of Jeru- 
salem in this county, where no meetings of the kind had 
ever before been held. The devoted and untiring agent 
of the Albany Vig. Committee, Rev. Abel Brown, with 
his young wife, who can both sing and speak for the 
slave, and a gentlemen from the south, nearly white, the 
son of a Congressman, who within a few days, has under- 
gone the magic transformation which changes a personal 
chattel into a man, were present, and contributed greatly 
to the interest of the meeting. It is due the good people 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 16^ 

of Branchport, to say that their doors and their hearts 
were open, the one to receive abolitionists, the other to 
receive the truths they brought with them. Never was 
hospitality more generous or unfeigned. 

Mr. Brown came to this place from Canandaigua, where 
he had been invited by the friends of freedom, to address 
the people on the 4th of July. The cause of impartial 
liberty was too unholy to be admitted into the church, and 
was thrust into the Court House, that a shooting, drum- 
ming, cold luater and patriotic celebration might occupy 
the meeting house. Not satisfied with this, a cannon was 
placed under the windows of the Court House, whose ar- 
guments were really much louder than Mr. Brown's, 
but, quite contrary to the intentions of the pious movers, 
only served to fill the honest yeomanry with disgust for 
such patrician arrogance. A committee was appointed to 
wait on " the powers that be," to have the gun removed ; 
but the people interposed and SWORE that their minister 
and the deacons of the church were the best men in the 
world, and that if the cannon did not drive abolition out 
of the place, the church would be divided. 

What a change has come over the land ! A few years 
ago, all the demagogue-politicians, and all the vicious and 
profane, were every where crying " church and state ! 
church and state !" to the top of their voices. Now we 
hear the same classes expressing the most tender solici- 
tude for the ministers and churches, and often interposing 
their cannon and their mobs, to secure the former from 
injury, and the latter from division. Why is all this? 
Doubtless, God in his all-wise Providence, frequently 
brings upon ministers, churches and individuals,^ ^e.s^s by 
which their true character is proved and developed. 

In reference to the agitation produced by the Conven- 
tions, Mr. Brown writes, — The opposers had, of their 
own free will and accord, placed themselves in a hostile 
position, and were determined to make one desperate 
effort to destroy the abolition influence in Canandaigua ; 
thereby rendering it absolutely necessary, either to forsake 
the field or batter down the fortress of the enemy. With 



164 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

such a systematic opposition I was invited to address 
the Convention. I was thus placed in a situation which 
demanded a mighty effort on my part. That I did my 
duty faithfully, I will not say ; that I rebuked as sharply 
as the case demanded, I do not believe. 

That I did my duty, as far as I was capable, I freely 
confess. That I say hard things, I do not deny, but I 
never say them for the purpose of revenging any personal 
animosities, for I have none to gratify. 

I regret the circumstances which rendered it necessary 
for me to talk as I did ; I did no more than was necessary 
to remove the objections, which the men who feel them- 
selves aggrieved had, unasked, publicly made against the 
cause of abolition. If their objections were futile, the 
fault was not mine. Duty to God and his insulted poor, 
required me to utterly annihilate every objection to the 
Anti-Slavery cause." 

The occasion was one of deep interest to the friends of 
the cause in this place (in connection with other meetings 
held at this period) and was indeed " the ever memorable 
Fourth," shadowing forth results far in the future, which 
time has since developed, in the formation of a new church 
established on those high and holy principles inculcated 
by our Saviour, who is emphatically styled the Deliverer 
of his people from sin and oppression. 

On giving an account of a visit myself at Niagara Falls, 
in writing Rev. C. Bradford, under date of July 21st, 
Mr. Brown remarks; 

I have been so overwhelmed with Anti-Slavery duties, 
that I did not have time to visit the Falls with Mrs. B. In- 
deed, I did not think she had sufficient health to attend all 
the meetings, and travel nights into the bargain ; therefore 
gave her three days respite at the Falls. We are in good 
health, and leave on Monday, P. M. for the " far west.'* 
The lake is very fine and the shore inviting. My kind 
regards to all. Thankful for past favors and hoping their 
continuance — 

I am as ever. Your Brother, 

A. BROWN. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. I^ 

A few sketches of our western journey are given, mostly 
from the pen of Mr. Brown, written at intervals on our 
route, as time and leisure would permit. 

Steamboat Illinois^ ^^g- 9, 1843. 
Dear Torrey : 

Seated, between Chicago and Milwaukie, on the deck 
of this noble vessel, enjoying the delightful breezes of 
lake Michigan, I write you this letter. My wife is also 
engaged in writing you a letter ; and as you are a great 
favorite among the ladies, and are always disposed to fa- 
vor them, I shall not write a letter for publication. 

I have sounded the Abolitionism of Michigan, and I 
assure you, that it is as deep as the sorrows of the slave 
and as abiding as the waters of the ** great deep " It 
would greatly refresh you to enjoy the society of the 
noble men who compose the Executive Committees of the 
societies of Michigan and Illinois 

Soon after my arrival at Chicago, a very fine span of 
horses, attached to a regular yankee wagon, drove up to 
the door of friend Eastman. The driver was a noble 
looking man, and there were two or three noble looking 
men with him, and they politely invited me to occupy a va- 
cant seat, and enjoy a delightful ride to Grove, (30 miles) 
and attend an Anti- Slavery meeting. I soon learned that 

our driver was no less a personage than Collins, Esq. 

one of the oldest and noblest settlers of the city ; and that 
the gentleman by ray side was also a lawyer, and that the 
horses and carriage were owned by Mr. C. and are kept 
for the purpose of carrying a certain class of passengers, 
who travel north, for their own accommodation. Just 
think of it — a Lawyer keeps a team and uses it to comfort 
and bless the slave; and what is still better, this same 
lawyer, like H. Dresser, Esq. of New York city, defends 
these same despised slaves before the cruel courts, against 
the more cruel laws of the slavery-ridden Illinois. But to 
the ride. 

We were soon nearly out of sight of land on the broad 
ocean of a prairie, (surely a splendid scene,) with here 



166 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

and there a small island of timbered land, and a yankee 
residence. After about four hours ride, we stopped at the 
house of another Vermonter, and found his barn well rig- 
ged for a meeting, which assembled in due time, and was 
addressed by the gentlemen who accompanied me, as also 
by myself The women were there and cheered us on by 
their words and smiles of approbation. The meeting was 
large considering the sparseness of the population. And 
the abolitionism was none of the half-way sort — there 
are no fence men here ; but the friends feel deeply 
and think more deeply than many Eastern abolitionists. 
They are certainly more decided ; they have more to con- 
tend with. Almost all of them are subject to indictment 
under State law, but Lovejoy-like they are unmoved, We 
rode back to Chicago after 10 o'clock at night. 

My sheet is full, and I cannot now write of the very 
large meeting at Chicago, or of the kind hospitalities 
received there. However, they were worthy of the great 
land in which those who proffered them live. May God 
bless the friends of Michigan and Illinois ! Their kind- 
ness will never be forgotten. The good will bless them — 
the slaves will bless them — and God will certainly bless 
them with life everlasting ! Come to the West, if you want 
to see a people who are full of great hearts and great 
thoughts. 

I leave the boat, to go still west, at Milwaukie. I will 
write you when I get upon the Mississippi. 

Yours, as ever, A. BROWN. 

Milwaukie, Aug. 18, 1843. 
Friend Jackson, 

Through a kind Providence, we have been enabled to 
complete our journey in health and safety. Our route 
has been rather circuitous : for the purpose of holding 
Conventions at various places in New York, Michigan, 
Illinois and the territory of Wisconsin — and a most pleas- 
ant tour it has been, I'll assure you, which is all I can 
say of it at present, as it would take .a port-folio to de- 
scribe all I could wishj respecting its scenes, the beautiful 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 167 

lakes, and more than all, the enterprise and intelligence 
of the inhabitants of this western world. I think I now 
begin to understand a little what is meant by the '' Giant 
West," having seen a small portion of its noble features. 
I must now give you a short account of our Anti-Sla- 
very visits, numbering fifty or more, since we started 
from New York, during all of which we have been most 
cordially received, and have met with no opposition of a 
public character, with the exception of meetings at Ca- 
nandaigua on the ever memorable 4th, and a little skir- 
mish at Buffalo ; however, it is hardly worth mentioning, 
if the cause is not hindered thereby, which is seldom the 
case, when Abolitionists are " on duty." At Detroit, we 
stopped a few days, and were kindly admitted to hold a 
meeting in the Baptist church. Some few seemed deeply 
interested for the slave, but from what I could learn, I 
judged that the community generally were in a quietus ; 
they had received no lecture for some time, and it seemed 
that the subject was seldom agitated, except in the occur- 
rence of a slave being judicially arrested, when the colored 
people exhibited no little signs of practical commotion. 
Anything, thought I, but a " dead calm :" rather give the 
powder and ball of Canandaigua, and let me hear the 
cannon's thundering voice ; then I should know that 
something was at work. (I am a non-resistant you know.) 
The church seems to have thrown the death-pall over the 
slave's redemption, in that city, for I was told that on the 
anniversary of Independence day, a Sabbath School cele- 
bration was held, and that a delegation previous was sent 
from the African church to the committee of the three dif- 
ferent churches, beseeching them to allow the colored chil- 
dren of their Sabbath school, to join them in the Universal 
Jubilee — and I cannot but weep while I write they re- 
fused ! O my God, has it come to this that children who 
know no prejudice of color, cannot associate together, for 
an hour or a day, in the joyousness of their hearts, to 
thank God, and bless his name for the glorious privi- 
leges of the Gospel, and for the gift of his Son to save the 
lost and perishing children of men ? And yet said a 



168 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

young lawyer to me, with a very serious air, "the 
committee thought the parents of the white children would 
be unwilling that they should associate with the colored 
children, because of their degradation in morals." Que- 
ry — was it not in condition 1 and even if it were in morals, 
was it not owing to the condition into which they had 
been thrown by their cruel prejudice and neglect for their 
spiritual welfare ? 

We next visited Ann Arbor, by invitation from brother 
Beckley, the able editor of the Signal of Liberty. Here 
we found quite a different atmosphere, and we could seem 
to breathe freer, and even the face of nature looked more 
pleasing, for we had found the liberly-loving spirit ever 
inspiring and active in the cause. Mr. B. is a preacher 
o^ righteousness in that place, and not of sect merely, I 
conclude, for he now supplies two different churches, the 
Methodist and Baptist, unitedly. Mr. B. is of the True 
Wesleyan order, and a seceder or " come-outer " from the 
Methodist Episcopal body. On the Sabbath, Mr. Brown 
preached as usual, and in the evening gave two Abolition 
lectures at the Baptist church, and the evening following 
at the Court House. The day after, we stopped at Jack- 
son, where we found Mr. Treadwell, author of a highly 
valuable work on Slavery. Through his influence, we 
were enabled to hold two entensive meetings ; much in- 
terest was manifested — and I ought to say, also, that 
much credit is due to Dr. Willson, the notorious rebel from 
Canada, who is now the proprietor of a fine Temperance 
House in that place, and a spirited character in every 
good cause. He told me that what grieved him most of 
all, as a *' refugee," was the taunts given him by British 
royalists, saying, that while endeavoring to flee from a 
land of civil oppression, he had come to a land where a 
sixth portion of its inhabitants were deprived of all their 
rights. 

On leaving Jackson, we passed through many a pleas- 
ant town, and among them Marshall, to which place six 
slaves had recently escaped, and were overtaken by their 
inhuman pursuers \ but not a person could be marshalled 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 169 

in this nohle town '^ to deliver up the fugitives," — so they 
were obliged to leave without them. I mention circum- 
stances like these, to give you a clue to the prospect of 
Anti-slavery in Michigan, or in some of its leading towns, 
which generally amounts to about the same thing, for what 
is true of them serves as a kind of index to the whole 
State. 

Proceeding on our way, we passed through the wilds of 
Michigan, or oak-openings, forming natural parks, where 
the wild deer roam, with an occasional lake or marsh, ad- 
ding variety and beauty to the effect, (once the hunting 
ground of the Indian, whose marks might still be seen 
upon many a tree.) And here I almost forgot the slave, 
when 1 remembered the wrongs of the red man ; and as 
the last glimmering rays of the sun lingered among the 
trees, so faded his dying hopes, as he gazed a long fare- 
well to his forest home. 

On reaching St. Josephs, we took a boat across the 
Lake to Chicago. This is a fine city, combining all the 
facilities and advantages of " the West." Here, again, we 
found Anti-slavery friends, among whom are found some 
of the most influential citizens of the place. Indeed, we 
are quite sure of finding some of the very best people on 
our way, for only such are engaged in our cause. We 
there held a series of meetings, in the First Presbyterian 
and Baptist Churches, to crowded and attentive audiences. 
The tide of public sentiment seems to be rising above 
their laws, and as a brother remarked to me, to be an Ab- 
olitionist here, means something, for we are obliged often 
to help off a fugitive at the hazard of the law, which in- 
flicts a penalty of a fine for so doing not exceeding five 
hundred dollars, or imprisonment not exceeding six months 
in the County Jail. And for this very reason the brother 
of the martyred Lovejoy, is soon to answer to an indict- 
ment for feeding, clothing and comforting a woman named 
Agnes. Mr. Lovejoy intends to plead his own case, at 
which time a good convention will undoubtedly be held. 

Since coming to this Territory, we have held meetings 
nearly every evening during the week past, at Prairieville, 
15 



170 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

where the people are in a great measure already abolition- 
ized. Here also we found the same frankness and readi- 
ness to hear on this, as on every other moral topic, which 
characterizes the western people. 

To-day we arrived at Milwaukie, which name signifies 
a pleasant place, and indeed it is. The natural scenery 
exhibits a great variety, resembling that of New England 
somewhat, in its abrupt declivities, trees and shrubbery, 
and commanding prospect. The view of the lake is very 
fine, extending to a great distance. Yet amid all the love- 
liness of Wisconsin, what signifies flowery banks ? A 
slave hunter is at this moment in pursuit of his prey, with 
his pistol in his pocket — a slave girl from St. Louis having 
escaped to this place for refuge. She is now secreted by 
the colored people, and will not probably be taken, for the 
simple reason that she cannot be found, though a posse of 
constables are laying in wait for her, at various points and 
stations. 

At Prairieville we were happy to meet with a brother 
Abolitionist, by the name of Matthews, an Englishman, 
and a Baptist clergyman. He was sent to this region by 
the Home Missionary Society, but has withdrawn himself 
from their support, being unwilling to receive the "price 
of blood" from their treasury. Mr. M. informed me that 
he had travelled through the greater part of Wisconsin as 
a revolutionizer on the question of abolition. He says that 
societies have been established at nearly every part of the 
Territory, and that in the south-western portion, some ab- 
olitionists reside, formerly of Kentucky and other slave 
States, but who left from their utter abhorrence of slavery, 
that they might escape its influence. 

It seems peculiarly important that the people of this 
Territory, should be set right in relation to this subject, in 
its infancy before they have assumed state laws and are 
admitted into the Union as one of the Confederacy. 

We are about to start for home, in order to reach Buff- 
alo on the 31st, to attend the National Convention, and 
anticipate much pleasure in our journey round by the 
lakes. C. S. BROWN. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 171 

P, S. I hare written at the request of Mr. Brown, as 
well as from my own inclination, that our friends might 
hear from us, through the columns of your paper, if you 
please. C. S. B. 

Letter to the Editor of the Albany Patriot. 

Prairie Village, Wis. Ter., August 18, 1843. 

Rev. C. T. Torrey, — Here in this land of '* great 
hearts" I write you a short account of the progress of Ab- 
olitionism. The evening of ray arrival there was a great 
meeting ; the next day two meetings, and the next three 
meetings, and then one a day until I have now been six 
days here, and have been permitted to lecture eight times 
to very large audiences. The people here are wide awake, 
determined to trample slavery in the dust. The Baptist 
minister, Rev. Mr. Miner, and the Presbyterian minister, 
Rev. Mr. Curtis, were not only ready to aid, but prepared 
the way before-hand for the reception of the truth, and 
were sufficiently grateful for it to feel in their pockets and 
make donations to aid those who proclaimed it. Be not 
surprised when I tell you that where this village now 
stands, five years ago two log houses enclosed its entire 
population. Now there are four Churches, an Academy; 
stores, taverns, flouring mills, &c. &c. The Anti-slavery 
meetings were cheered by the music of the excellent Pe- 
wakie band. It would have made you feel that slavery was 
dying, to have heard the liberty stirring strains from the 
instruments of those noble young men, as they died away 
upon the extensive aud fertile plains that surround that 
lovely village. I heard a slave catcher from Mississippi 
cursing the Prairieville Abolitionists, He said they were 
all a pack of thieves, and it was of no use to go there af- 
ter a slave. 

I came here to rest, but a few more such months of rest 
would send me to my final resting place. Within the last 
seven weeks, myself and wife have attended fifty eight 
meetings, in all of which we have taken a prominent part, 
and have travelled over 1500 miles. We have everywhere 
been received in the kindest manner, and every attention 



17*2 ftlEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

has been shown us which heart could wish. I think we 
ought to call these western men " great hearted Abolition' 
ists,'' for they are certainly the most noble set of men that 
I ever saw. Before them slavery begins to tremble, and 
ere long it will tumble to earth, and probably to the pit 
Yours as ever, ABEL BROWN. 

Steam Boat Cleveland, 2oth August, 1843. 
Editor of the Countryman, 

Dear Sir : — I am now half way between Detroit and 
Cleveland, on board this noble steamer returning from a 
delightful trip to Illinois and Wisconsin territory. We 
left Chicago on Tuesday morning last. Have had a very 
pleasant passage. This boat is worthy of the patronage 
of the travelling public. 

You will be pleased, I doubt not, to learn that the cause 
of abolition is rapidly advancing in Illinois and Wisconsin 
territory. In the Congressional District occupying the 
N. E. corner of 111. the liberty vote was over 1200, and 
that too, without any extra exertions on the part of abo- 
litionists. I think that is the Banner District in the U. S. 
Living, as you do, about 700 miles from that State, you 
can hardly realize the difficulties which our friends are 
obliged to encounter. Subject to indictment and impris- 
onment for giving the poor a piece of bread, and surround- 
ed by a class of men who delight to worry and devour 
them — constantly harassed with suits at law, and the more 
dreadful acts of mob violence, yet they quietly and with a 
firm step carry forward their benevolent efforts for the re- 
demption of their brethren in bonds. I enjoyed a number of 
interesting meetings with the friends in Chicago and vi- 
cinity. They are usually men of piety and stern integrity, 
who are even ready to sacrifice their property, reputation 
and life if necessary to advance the cause. — They certain- 
ly deserve the prayers and aid of every friend of the op- 
pressed. — Even at Chicago, I saw a number of men or 
monsters from Missouri, in pursuit of fugitives. They 
were armed with pistols and dirks, and have the law all on 
their side. Still I do not know an abolitionist in Chicago 



51EM01R OF ABEL BROWN, 173 

who would not protect the poor fleeing fugitive to the last. 
God bless the Illinois abolitionists, is the spontaneous emo- 
tion of my heart. 

In Wisconsin Territory I found a noble band of men. 
I lectured there, and in Illinois to very large audiences. 
I went there to rest, but a few more such rests, and I shall 
find lay final resting place. They flocked to hear in great 
numbers, and told the slave catchers to their faces, that 
law or no law, they would protect any and every slave, 
that came among them. There were men at Milwaukie 
and in the vicinity, during my entire stay, in search of 
slaves. The law is on their side, but who can resist the 
people, when they arise in the strength of the God of Is- 
rael. — Sickness and weariness prevented me from visiting 
Delavan, but I heard a good report of that place. I had 
abundant evidence that the Devil and all his pro-slavery 
legions hate its very name. Old Perry may rejoice, that 
God accounted her worthy to plant a colony like that at 
Delavan. Those brethren, who went from your place and 
planted the standard of truth, lived not in vain. They are 
dead but their names yet live, and their influence is felt 
for forty or fifty miles around. 

During my passage from Chicago, I have had as a com- 
panion. Rev. Owen Lovejoy, of Princeton 111., a brother 
of the Martyr. He is truly one of the noble men of earth. 
He intends, I believe, to plead his own cause. He has 
been harassed by the slave power constantly, yet he does 
not appear in the least discouraged. Meets opposition 
with cheerfulness ; murmurs not that his time and money 
are torn from him in the cause of the slave. May he long 
live to enjoy the luxury of doing good, and then rest with 
the just in that mansion above, where no opposition can 
disturb his repose. 

Yours in labors abundant, 

ABEL BROWN. 

Cor. Sec. of E. N. Y. A. S. Soc^y. 

On our return from Wisconsin, we attended the Na- 
tional Convention held at Buff'alo, where some six or seven 
15* 



174 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

thousand people were present, assembled within and around 
the great Oberlin tent, transported from Cleaveland, ex- 
pressly for the occasion. Mr. Brown was quite anxious, 
it seems from a letter to C. T. Torrey, that the South 
should be represented in the delegation of certain fu- 
gitives, amply qualified to bear their testimony, respecting 
the peculiar institution, in th^ir own persons and sufferings. 

There we met our friend and coadjutor, Torrey, and 
joined together in holding meetings at various places, in- 
directly, on our route to Albany. 

In September, we visited Massachusetts, for the purpose 
of seeing friends, and aiding the cause in which we were 
engaged. Mr. Brown being obliged soon to return to his 
labors in N. Y., I remained at the home of my nativity, 
until his return some weeks subsequent. During his ab- 
sence, he wrote me a constant description of his labors. 
A few extracts therefrom are given. 

Albany, Saturday Morning, Sept. 23d, 1843. 

Ever Dear Catharine :' — I hardly know how happy I 
should be to see you this morning, but as I cannot, I for- 
bear to say more respecting it. Well, we had a glorious 
meeting of three days continuance at Canastota. The 
large house was filled to overwhelming day and night, and 
the interest was intense. We had one discussion which 
lasted twelve hours. 

Torrey made a great war speech upon 

another resolution, but it was lost by one tremenduous 
*'No." So we are no war and no insurrection men and 
women too 

I almost forgot to tell you, that last night, I lectured on 
the steps of the Capitol, in connection with Torrey and 
Goodwin. Tomorrow I go to duaker street. . . . 

Sejjt. 25th, 1843. 

Ever Dear C. ; . . : Here I am in an Abolition 

meeting in the Court House of Schoharie County. Lewis 

Washington is talking, and all are looking upon him with 

intense interest. He is now making a most thrilling 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 175 

speech respecting the miseries of the Slave ; and I am 
writing to tell Catharine, I really wish she was here. . . 

Could I sit down in your society, and have with us those 
dear, dear children, I should be as happy as outward cir- 
cumstances would permit. The field that I am called to 
occupy is not pleasant to my natural taste, but one which 
I believe God requires me to occupy, and one from which 
I must not flee, if I would have the blessing of God ; and 
one that I must continue for a space of time to occupy. 
Lewis talks with so much pathos, that I cannot write. 

My labors in this state are more appreciated than ever 
before. They say, I am more prudent, but they on the 
contrary are opening their eyes wider. 

I am desirous of your company in the northern Coun- 
ties, and think it would greatly add to the interest of all 
meetings. I also should be happy to have you visit the 
south eastern part of the State, should it be convenient ; 
as also L. I. and New York, and in the spring we can, I 
trust, settle somewhere, and find as much leisure as will 
be proper for us to enjoy 

I wish I was with you. O how pleasant that fire around 
which you all sit while I am in this cold office, plotting a 
campaign against the enemy of God and man. 

Dear wife, adieu, for a few days only, I hope. May 
God bless you and your husband and all friends. 

Yours as ever, ABEL. 

Chester, Warren Co. N. F., Oct. 11, 1843. 
Ever Dear Catharine : — I have to day been pent in, 
by mountains as high as grass or trees can grow, rising 
above each other in indescribable masses of rugged piles, 
which make me tremble as I approach — any part of Alass- 
achusetts is a plain, when compared with what I have 
passed to day. One mountain, which I think is located in 
the town of VVarrensburgh, about twice as high as Wachu- 
sett, (I cannot spell it) was perfectly bare — a mass of solid 
granite; enough to build ten, if not one hundred such 
cities as New York. I had so much Antislavery to at- 



176 MEMOIR OP ABEL BRO\rN. 

tend to, that I had very little time to look up ; and it is 
now of no use, as the rocks are so high, that I cannot 
see the top. Yet I am now in a very quiet place in a 
Temperance house, (parlor very neat and comfortable) 
thinking, what a fool I was, to let Catharine Swan Brown 
stay in that nest so good and lovely, and I wander off in 
this land of hills and glens alone 

I received your letter with more than a glad heart, but 
was so overwhelmed with duties, that I had no time to 
write. 

I was in Albany only from Thursday 3 o'clock P. M. to 
Friday morning 6 o'clock, and did not get the morning's 
mail before I left. Went to the printing office, wrote let- 
ters for two County Meetings, &:,c. &,c. Ordered a cab 
to drive me back to my office — took my valise, bag &c., 
and was driven at a mad rate to the Railroad, just in time 
to take the cars — went like an arrow to Schenectady; met 
my noble companion, Lewis Washington, whom I found 
ready to join me in a hearty laugh, lie took the cars at 
Troy on that beautiful road, and in one of the most splen- 
did cars ; and like any other gentlemen sat where he found 
a seat. The conductor came and ordered him behind the 
door. But Mr. W. asked if the seats behind the door were 
any cheaper, than any other seats ; and was told, they were 
not. He then said, he was a gentleman, and should ride 
where he pleased ; and they might help themselves if they 
could. After considerable wrath, they left him to glory in 
his conquest alone, once. After hearing this, I went to 
the office and asked the agent for the company, if they in- 
tended to insult a colored man, on the Troy road? and 
after considerable hesitation, was told, that they always re- 
quired them to sit behind the door. So now for another 
warfare , 

We went on to Ballston Springs — Took our breakfast a 
few minutes before eleven o'clock — had a great County 
convention, and next day went on to Corinth, in time for 
P. M. meeting, where we continued two days ; and left, 
loaded with invitations to return and bring my dear wife 
with me. Next morning, (Monday) rode down in sight of 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 177 

a place where the waters of the Hudson river roll in majes- 
tic splendor, over a perpendicular rock of from sixty to 
eighty feet — a grand sight it would have been, for my dear 
Catharine and sister Clara. Then passed over a road, 
that made me glad to hope that I was never to see it again ; 
unless 1 went to do penance — the rocks, the rocks ! I can- 
not describe them. Five miles, brought us to the river 
again, and then a plain, and fine road to Glens Falls. 
Then to Sandy Hill, where I found my old friend Steph- 
en Lee, an old Revolutionary soldier, with his wife most 
dear, and his daughter very kind. Good people — Heaven 

bless them 

Next morning proceeded on our way to Caldwell, pass- 
ing over a fine road through a beautifully romantic coun- 
try, amid mountains and winding ravines, crystal streams, 
and beautiful Lakes, until we arrived in sight of Lake 
George, which lies with evening stillness, between tower- 
ing mountains, inviting you to enjoy its sweet breezes and 
gentle zephyrs, with its beautiful Islands and overhanging 
and rock bound shores. How lovely, refreshing and ener- 
vating, must be its placid bosom amid the heat of summer. 
But the inhabitanls of tlie beautiful village on its banks, 
are a slavery and rum cursed race ; and where I expected 
to have found a hearty welcome — I was met by cold re- 
pulses. The Post Master said, there was no meeting, and 
only one Abolitionist within five miles ; and no steamboat 
to convey me from such a miserable place. However, af- 
ter much inquiry, I found a man (who lived twenty miles 
from there) who told me that an Antislavery Convention 
was in session at a distance of five miles, in a Baptist 
meeting house. God bless the Baptists, said I, and hired 
a boy for fifty cents to carry us on. Being in a great hur- 
ry to get his money, he drove his horse in "hot haste," 
and soon I found myself surrounded by an audience, who 
*with earnest gaze heard me until five o'clock. Then the 
ministers who were holding a protracted meetings, politely 
invited my friend to occupy the evening ; and I will only 
say, that we gratified them until eleven o'clock. A friend 
then took me in a carriase and carried me two miles to 



178 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

Hon. Mr. Richards, who had sent and invited us to his 
hospitable dwelling. 

I slept from twelve until six, and then found the parlor 
with a good fire, which was graced with the presence of a 
Whig Representative, a good man, who made us feel at 
home in company with his intelligent and truly worthy ap- 
pearing wife and daughters. After our repast, Mr. Wash- 
ington arrived, and we were taken by my friend Leggett, 
and brought to this place. Dined with him and his Qua- 
ker wife, and am now writing at this Temperance house, 
at five o'clock and twenty minutes. The tea bell is ring- 
ing, and I must go to the table — then go to meeting and 

tell of the slaves' wrongs 

I expect to spend three weeks in Mass. during Nov. and 
wish to have meetings in different places. I can if you 
please, empower you to get them up. Shall send Lewis 
down to attend them. I wish to hold them soon after 
Election, and collect money to aid the poor slave in his 
escape. I shall write Mr. Snow of Fitchburg, and Mr. 
Jones of Ashburnham, and you will please confer with 
Mr. Everett, our good friend in Princeton. Last month, 
ending first Or.tober, T paid out in cash, for the committee 
at Albany, $75,90 (most of it directly to aid fugitives( 
beside my travelling expenses and salary. I think, I shall 
get it again — / know I shall, for I have a note from One, 
who always pays with interest. 

Plattshurgh, 24 Oct. 1843. 
Ever Dear Catharine : — Here I am in Clinton Co., 
in the town where the celebrated battle was fought on Lake 
Champlain, during the last war. I am in an upper room, 
that overlooks the quiet waters that bore up the palaces of 
death, and were made red with the blood of the slain. 
Tb.e o|d battle ground, was yASterday pointed out to me, 
apd the place in the river, where the armies crossed an4 
recrossed, and where hundreds died. The Lake with its 
numerous fertile islands is very beautiful, and while the 
mountains in the distance are covered with snow, and all 
nature seems bound in its robes of ice, not a ripple is seei) 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 179 

to break the quiet stillness of its bosom. Since I last 
wrote you, I have regreted a hundred times that you and 
dear Clara were not with me. The beautiful vallies, the 
immense forests, extending as far as the eye can reach — 
the huge piles of rocks, the towering mountains and at- 
tendant scenery, have all conspired to fill me with rever- 
ence and awe, as I have passed over, through and around 
these works of God. There is one place in Essex Co. 
called '* Poc'o moonshine," where you pass directly along 
the base of a mass of rocks, about eight hundred feet 
high; five hundred of the space is one solid ledge, with 
not a place of sufficient width to stand upon, and during 
a clear moonlight night is beyond description grand, and 
from its mighty summit the view is not only sublime, but 
beautiful in the extreme. There you can stand and gaze 
south, until the sight is lost amid the windings of the 
sources of the mighty Hudson. West, is one unbroken 
forest of crags and mountain tops, inhabited only by beasts 
of prey. North, and the eye rests upon the extensive but* 
gentle slope of land, (a plain almost) reaching to the St. 
Lawrence. East, and the scene is both grand and beau- 
tiful, bordering on ' a god-like sublimity. Beneath your 
feet is the valley of a gentle stream, passing through nu- 
merous lakes, surrounded by overhanging trees — then 
rising forests, with here and there a farm-house, and its 
cultivated fields — then the ever inviting Champlain, whose 
waters quietly sleep in nature's choicest reservoir — then 
the rich farms of Vermont, spreading from north to south, 
as far as the eye can reach — and then the snow-capped 
mountains, whose summits are lost in the infinite expanse 
■ above. There you can stand, gaze, wonder and admire 
until you are reminded of the everlasting truth, that the 
unbalanced masses, around and beneath you, are only the 
specimen of a t^'orW that is balanced upon nothing; and 
fall down in the stillness of the scene, and adore the God, 
whose unseen power created and sustains it all. 

Champlain, Clinton Co. Oct. 25. 
Ah my dear, and here I am in an upper room beside a 



180 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

warm stove, where one^ who I trust, will soon read this, 
would make me very happy. I left Plattsburg at 9 o'clock 
yesterday ; rode fourteen miles to Chazy — lectured twice, 
and then was taken by Mr. Moore, and brought seven 
miles after 9 o'clock at night, to this, his truly hospitable 
mansion. I can only say of them, that they are making 
me very comfortable. I lecture here twice this P. M. and 
evening. Then I go (God willing) to Moresville, seven 
miles, and lecture twice to-morrow, and on Friday leave 
there for Plattsburgh. Thence by steamboat to St. Al- 
bans, Vt. where I lecture twice, and on Saturday take the 
steamboat to Whitehall, and then Packet to Albany. 

I intended to have returned to Albany last week, but 
the continued importunity of the friends altered my plans ; 
therefore, sent Lewis Washington back to Albany ; from 
whence he will go to fill appointments made for me in 
Schenectada and Schoharie Counties. 

I shall, with God's blessing, be able to meet you at 
home or at Worcester, about the 10th of Nov. I might 
perhaps be home the 9th, but that is my birth day, and I 
believe it is fashion to whip truants, upon such occasions, 
therefore I think I had better wait one day ; still I may 
venture to risk it My health is ex- 
cellent. There are many things truly delightful in this 
region, concerning which, I cannot find time to write. 
Your Ever Dear Husband, ABEL. 

Mr. Brown revisited Massachusetts, (in November) and 
spent some weeks in a lecturing tour, accompanied by 
Lewis Washington and myself, visiting Lowell, Boston, 
Andover and other places, and retured to Albany the last 
of December. The following month, we held an inter- 
esting series of Conventions in Fulton Co. in behalf of 
the slave. A short account of succeeding labors, is found 
in a letter written for the Albany Patriot. 

From Mrs. Abel Brown. 

Poughheepsie, March 18, 1844. 
Brother Goodwin. — It is four weeks to-day since we 
started on our Anti-Slavery tour. During three weeks, 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 1^ 

we visited Delaware, Sullivan and Orange counties. We 
have found many kind friends to aid us in our efforts in 
this section, and a fair prospect seems opening for the ad- 
vancement of the cause, though violent opposition has 
been rife to overthrow our labors and defeat our object. 
At Delhi, the friends contributed liberally for the support 
of agents in Delaware county. One gentleman on giving 
ten dollars, remarked that he wished to have it distinctly 
understood why he gave that sum. He said, previous to 
coming into the Convention he had thought of giving five 
dollars, but on hearing of the mob the night before, de- 
termined to give ten, and if another disturbance of the 
kind should take place the following evening, that he 

would add another five. As the event happened, Mr. 

is indebted another five dollars. Among other friends at 
Delhi, I cannot forbear to mention our brother, the Rev. 
Mr. Wescott, who has taken a prominent stand relative to 
the cause in that place. The Convention being over, we 
were conveyed by our " whole-souled " friend St. John, to 
Walton, where we held a meeting in the evening at the 
Presbyterian church : much interest was manifested. We 
were next conveyed by the same brother to Deposit, at 
which place we held a Con ention of two days, though 
much disturbed by a company of boys and " children of a 
larger growth," who knew no more than to act as mere 
puppets of certain "wire-pullers" ecclesiastical and polit- 
ical (according to their own professions,) yet, amid all 
the storm tumultuous, we trust much good was effected. 
Here, we also found true friends, who were willing to 
share with us the contumely and reproach of a " gainsay- 
ing multitude." Rev. Mr. Mumford, of the Baptist 
church, assisted us much in our efforts at that place, as 
also Mr. St. John, brother to the one to whom I have al- 
ready alluded. We next stopped at Beaverkill, where we 
held two meetings, distributed quite a number of tracts, 
and then proceeded on our way over the Delaware hills 
and into Orange county, passing through Newburgh to 
New Windsor. Here we were cordially received at the 
hospitable mansion of friend Roe. At this place a Con- 
16 



182 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

vention was held a day and two evenings. Many good 
friends from abroad were present, among whom was Mr. 
Kingsley, formerly professor in the Military Academy at 
West Point and an officer of the United States navy or 
army. He seemed zealously interested for the slave and 
spoke of what he knew from personal observation concern- 
ing the system, and corroborated many statements made 
by the speaker, (Mr. Brown) In conclusion, he said 
that it was not in his power to labor in the field at this 
time, he would therefore make a donation for the distribu- 
tion of tracts and such other efforts as might be made in 
that section. Since coming to that place, I have endeav- 
ored to interest the "colored people" in behalf of the 
slave; have held two meetings at Zion's church. Univer- 
sal interest prevailed. Many tracts were taken by them 
and a subscription given. Several fugitive slaves were 
present, being resident in this place. One remarked to 
me after the meetings were over, that the account given 
of the treatment of slaves (to use his own words) seemed 
very natural to him. We are about making arrangements 
for a series of Conventions in Dutchess county, which we 
shall hope to fulfil (the Lord prospering) in the course of 
two or three weeks. 

Yours, C. S. BROWN. 

Mr. Brown has also visited Ulster county, where he has 
also made arrangements for meetings. C. S. B. 

In gliding over the numerous Conventions, held by Mr. 
Brown, I am obliged to omit many incidents of interest, 
blended with the intercourse of friends on those genial 
occasions. One, however, is worthy of insertion m this 
place, on account of the intimate relation of the subject 
with the spirit and laws of our Nation's Charter. While 
at Delhi, a Scotchman called on Mr. Brown, to ask his 
advice with regard to citizenship ; saying, " can I take 
the oath to support the Constitution, and help maintain 
the laws of the country that rob the poor slave of his 
rights ? " I never shall forget the sober, thoughtful ex- 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 183 

pression of the good old man's face ; God bless him ! I 
know not Mr. Brown's reply — I could not wait for it ; but 
cried out, ** No, never ! " 

The views of Mr. Brown in reference to political action, 
were briefly these : 

Voting — he looked upon as an instrumentality, to turn 
the political machinery of this country, to operate in favor 
of the slave — he thought it calculated to operate on the 
slaveholder's mind — saying, he would count votes ! He 
indulged the idea, that mere abstraction in principles 
or theory, would never free the slave — to use his own 
words, that a Platform of laws had been framed, and been 
laid on the persons of the slaves; until, they were literally 
crushing them to death — that on this platform, stand the 
two great political parties, and also the American Church 
— including Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, &-c. — that 
to relieve the slave, each person must jump off; and by so 
doing, counts one ; and by putting his shoulder under the 
platform, counts two. In short, if he jumps off, it is to 
render some practical aid, and in one way — by voting he 
actually is endeavoring to upset this platform now resting 
upon the heads of the slave. 

The writer confesses her inability to do justice to this 
subject, as presented by himself Suffice it to say, that 
being often used by him as an illustration, it assumed the 
name of " Brown's Platform Argument," and was con- 
sidered a very lucid argument of the system and the means 
to be used for its overthrow. 

In visiting the south eastern portions of N. Y. State, 
we were often compelled to stop at those public places, 
where the deadly poison of the intoxicating draught spread 
its pestilential influence the entire villages around ; and 
such were the baneful and extended effects of those pois- 
onous streams — that no friend of human rights, could be 
heard to effect, if even allowed to speak, in behalf of the 
poor and down-trodden slave. Such was the case in Ulster 
County, where Mr. Brown had made appointments to 
lecture ; being thus thwarted in his design — he was led 
again, to examine his duty, in relation to the cause of 



184 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

Temperance ; and at a point of the enemy, where his 
influence could be most felt and was most needed. 

Under these circumstances, he was induced to make an 
appeal to the Public, in the form of a Circular, — addressed 
to the Mayor of Albany ; wherein, he gave a statement of 
facts, relative to the number of houses used for the sale 
of spirituous liquors ; such number being no less than two 
hundred, through the direct sanction and license of the 
Mayor and Authorities of the city. He also depicted the 
direful effects thereof — and even the murderous consequen- 
ces, in some instances, resulting from this legal sanction 
and approval ; in combination with the perverted conscience 
of a professedly Christian people, in relation to this subject. 

On the publication of this Circular, Mr. Brown received 
many anonymous letters, containing threats of personal 
violence, in case he did not quit the city ; he however, re- 
mained undisturbed, quietly pursuing the duties marked 
out to him by the leadings of Providence. 

Letter to the Editor of the American Freeman. 

Anti-Slavery Rooms, \ 

Albany, 28t/i March, 1844. ) 
Very Dear Sir: — The hearts of the Anti-Slavery friends 
in this city, have been made glad by the appearance of 
the American Freeman. To one especially, who has for 
ten years been spending his entire mental and physical 
energies in advancing a reform, it is truly refreshing to see 
friends rising up with new energies, and taking the front 
rank in freedom's holy battles. In the name of the friends 
of freedom throughout the entire valley of the Hudson, I 
bid you a hearty " God speed." May the " American 
Freeman** live until the colored men of America shall be 
as free as the winds that sweep over your fertile plains. I 
almost imagine that your atmosphere has changed. Last 
August, I was in your town, and saw a man from Md. 
with his pistols and knives, surrounded by a host of persons 
who were aiding him in tracking and hunting an innocent 
girl of sixteen, and I heard that same man-hunter boast to 
a few of his southern friends, while on our passage to 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 185 

Chicago, that he had all the friends in Mihvaukie that he 
desired, and that he could have taken the girl with perfect 
ease, had not a few " nigger thieves" (as he called them) 
hid her. But God be praised, Mihvaukie is no longer the 
slave hunter's hunting ground. How does Lawyer Arnold 
get along ? His woman hunting business will I guess be 
small in future, unless he goes to the land of chains. 
When I took up your papers, Nos. 1 and 2, I could hardly 
believe it possible, that such a mighty revolution had been 
wrought within so short a time. But it is a fashion you 
western men have of going the *' whole man" at once. 
Would to God that Albany Dutchmen could see the truth 
as soon. 

You can appreciate my feelings upon reading your pa- 
per, when I indulge myself in telling you a few facts 
respecting an anti-slavery lecturer, with whom I am well 
acquainted. He espoused the cause in 1834. Soon after 
this, he was knocked down in the streets. Then he was 
whipped with a heavy cowskin more than fifty lashes. 
Was mobbed times without number almost. On one 
occasion, he paid for putting in more than seventy lights 
of glass that had been broken out of his house by a mob. 
Three times he was cruelly whipped. He was stoned 
again and again. In the winter of 1837-8, he wore an 
over coat that was completely besmeared with eggs. He 
was accustomed to aid slaves from near the Virginia line, 
a little distance north, and hide them in the woods. His 
wife would feed these children of sorrow and as her hus- 
band was about to leave, would in tears commend him to 
God, and then rising from prayer, would say, " Go my 
husband, go, for God will be your shield." At another 
time, while riding with his wife and child, a gang of ruf- 
fians saw him, and one of the number raised his rifle and 
fired — the ball passed between the horse and the unoffend- 
ing man. He will carry tohisgrave the marks of slavery's 
champions. You will not be surprised that such men 
rejoice, when accessions are made to the cause of abolition. 
Every newspaper brings with it a blessed assurance that 
the cause is onward. It takes off a little of the heavy 
16* 



186 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

load that crushed to the earth, the pioneers in this cause. 

But Sir, I took my pen only to write a word, and ask 
you to publish in your paper, a notice of a little work 
herewith sent, called " The Legion of Liberty.^' An ex- 
cellent friend in our city, who has spent hundreds — yes, 
thousands of dollars in the cause of the poor, has given me 
the use of the plates, so that I can publish them quite 
cheap. Soon as our canal opens, if 1 can find a traveller 
who will take them to Buffalo, I shall send five hundred of 
them to Wisconsin 

Please excuse the liberty I have taken, in so freely writ- 
ing to a stranger, and yet your paper has been to me a 
pleasing introduction. Should you visit this city, I shall 
be very happy to see you. 
Truly Yours, 

ABEL BROWN, Cor. Sec'y, 

Of Eastern N, F., A. S. Society 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Anniversary of Eastern N. T. Auti-Slavery Society— Mr. Brown visits 
Western N. Y. — Labors for the cause in various counties. 

The letter above inserted, is of interest, as pertaining 
in some degree to the history of Mr. Brown, in the allu- 
sions incidentally made, in reference to himself 

At this season, Mr. Brown was much engaged in pre- 
paring the way for the Annual Convention of the Society, 
for which he officiated. His efforts were also enlisted in 
a series of Conventions, in behalf of the cause in Duchess 
County, where he suffered with other friends, much per- 
sonal Violence and abuse. He was even assailed in the 
night time, and forcibly thrust from the side walk. Yet 
much good was effected, in arousing the attention of the 
community to the question of their own responsibilities in 
reference to this sin of our nation. 

On May the 8th, 1844, the anniversary of the Eastern 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 187 

N. Y. Anti-Slavery Society, was held at the Apollo Rooms 
in the city of New York. " The Hall will contain fifteen 
hundred people. It was crowded to excess, gallery and 
all, and many left for want of room. The speakers were 
of the highest order. On the whole, our meeting was a 
great and good, and harmonious one, full of the liveliest 
and most thrilling interest, even unto the end." Among 
the results of the society, during the year previous, the 
following are recorded. 

First. It has co-operated, in the permanent establish- 
ment of a weekly Anti-Slavery paper. 

Second. More than one hundred thousand Anti-Slave- 
ry Tracts, have been published and distributed. 

Third. From four to nine agents have been constantly 
engaged. 

Fourth. The entire northern half of the field, has been 
made a safe resort for fugitive slaves. 

Fifth. The Anti-Slavery vote, was increased more than 
three-fold, in fifteen counties in Eastern New York, over 
the vote of 1843. 

This was the last anniversary of the Society ever attended 
by Mr. Brown — to whose efforts it will readily be conceded, 
the Society owed its prosperity and much of its vitality as an 
organization. 

Soon after this convention, Mr. Brown visited Western 
New York, for the purpose of seeing his children, and at 
the same time causing his voice to be heard in behalf of 
human rights^ and the holy principles of truth wherever 
necessity called, or opportunity offered. 

The following extract, is from a letter to myself in refer- 
ence to the home of his children, under date of May 24, 
at Fredonia. 

. . . . It is very pleasant here. Ma' has a beautiful 
yard. The flowers are in blossom — Roses, Snow-balls, 
Lillies, (fcc, &lc., and the fine green clover and the noble 
shade trees — all encircled by the neat white fence, Robert 
was preparing when we were here last summer. I 
wish you were here, and then I should be as happy here 
as earthly circumstances would permit. My dear boys 



188 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



are here in the room, enjoying a fine spell of playing ball. 
How truly lovely they are. The cunning of Charles, 
shines finely through his eyes, as with lightning flash, he 
resents every attempt to pass him by unnoticed. May 
Heaven preserve them uncontaminated and pure, amid the 
corruptions of this wicked world. I should be very happy 
to take them home, — but have reluctantly concluded to let 
them remain. But expect to take Walter with us next 
Fall, if possible. This is quite a healthy location during 
the Summer, and I think, it will be as well to let Walter 
remain ; although I am quite sure, that you would be able 
to teach him many things quite useful, that must be neg- 
lected until a future time 

The succeeding article, is so characteristic of Mr. 
Brown's style of speaking on certain occasions, that I give 
it entire. 

Rev. Abel Brown in Buffalo. 

Dear Sir — Week before last, Wm. J. Graves, the duelist, 
and Abel Brown, the philanthropist, happened to arrive in 
our goodly city of the lakes at the same time. On Satur- 
day evening, the 20th instant, Graves was invited by the 
whig leaders here to attend and address a public meeting 
in their log (board and scantling) cabin, called for the 
purpose of confirming the nominations of Clay and Fre- 
linghuysen. Placards were stuck up in our principal 
streets, announcing, in staring capitals that the Hon. Wm. 
J. Graves, from Kentucky, would, by invitation, attend 
and address the people, and exhorting the lieges to rally to 
listen to the orator, and respond to the nominations. At 
an announcement so bold and unexpected, the community 
were thunderstruck, and for a moment paralyzed — while 
the whig leaders seemed equally astonished that the pro- 
priety of their course should be questioned; they seemed, 
indeed, to think it the most unnatural thing in the world, 
and when expostulated with, resorted to downright denun- 
ciation and abuse. But " a change has come over the 
spirit of their dream" — thanks, mainly to the Rev. Abel 
Brown, and an awakened public sentiment. The next 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 189 

day, [Sunday,] on which day Graves took his departure, 
all the pulpits in the city were silent about the outrage, 
save one, and that one was occupied by the Rev. Abel 
Brown. He preached on Sunday evening, at the Metho- 
dist church, Hart's garden, and such a sermon! Buffalo 
intemperance, theatre and brothel haunting, duelling and 
pro-slavery, were his themes. Church and clergy were 
his not forgotten. Mr. Brown thoroughly cleared the skirts 
of his garments from the blood of the city. Not a stain of 
it rests upon them. The house was so full that many had 
to stand. For two hours the audience, made up of all 
sects and parties, were enchained, scarcely an individual 
moving in his place. Many were in tears. Startling 
truths uttered with the utmost force and directness, were 
burnt into the conscience. But when the preacher came 
to speak out the name of Graves, and depicted the crime 
and outrage of inviting that duelist whose hands, in the 
language of John Q,uincy Adams, addressed to one of his 
seconds, were still *' all dripping with a brother's blood," 
to stand up in this Christian community, and recommend 
to its suffrages another veteran duelist, a thrill of horror 
ran through and electrified the assembly. The speaker 
was more than eloquent. He was sublime. Since that 
evening no one here has been afraid to call a duelist a 
murderer and to speak it right out. When cross-grained, 
knotty sins are to be cut away from a nation's heart, com- 
mend me to your strong, truth-edged jackplane. Your 
fine smoothing plane is not fit for such stuff. The Rev. 
Abel Brown is both the one and the other, however, as 
occasion demands. Yours, trulv, 

ANTI-DUELIST. 

In reference to Mr. Brown's style or manner of speak- 
ing — oftentimes he has told me, that he thought he could 
reach the minds of a certain class better by this method. 
Though possessed of much ideality and taste for the beau- 
tiful in eloquence, whether spoken in the silent voice of 
nature, in meaning accents to the soul ; or displayed in the 
outbursts of a heart glowing with benevolence to his fellow 



190 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

man, breaking the fetters of sin and oppression, by God-like 
appeals to the slumbering conscience. Yet he sometimes 
was willing to sacrifice beauty to earnestness, and a glowing 
rhapsody to sober rebuke. Especially was the jackplane 
necessary where the timber was newly hewn ; and was as 
yet without form or design. A very fine instrument with 
delicate execution, is not adapted to the raw material, or 
" sterner stuff." He therefore, habituated himself to 
speaking in an abrupt, pointed and severe style for the 
purpose of riveting truths, or what he termed hammering ; 
so much afraid was he that the nails of his arguments 
would be loosely set. 

This Spring we removed to Troy, having secured a 
very pleasant and eligible situation in a retired part of the 
city. Here we were cheered and sustained by many kind 
and Christian friends, in the arduous enterprise in which 
we were engaged. Here — we often held meetings in the 
Reform Churches and at a public hall, wherein, to open our 
mouths for the dumb, and plead the cause of the oppressed. 

During this season of emigration, we often had the 
pleasure of affording shelter and relief to many a weary 
and heart-stricken fugitive. Mr. Brown was often em- 
ployed to secure the friends of those who had escaped, 
and an exceedmgly interesting case occurred, in which a 
very shrewd and intelligent slave, had been directed on 
his way to the care of Mr. Brown, and in a few weeks his 
wife was restored to him. She had travelled hundreds of 
miles, with the simple direction of Mr. Brown's address. 
After spending a week with us, she was conveyed to her 
husband, at a place some distance north of Albany, where 
a home had been provided by the friends, for both William 
and Mary as a separate and distinct family. Such was 
their joyful meeting, that they remained in silence for some 
minutes, pacing the room to and fro, and then each burst 
into a flood of tears. What satisfaction it must have af- 
forded Mr. Brown, to have thus contributed to the security 
of William, and restoration of Mary. One week only 
elapsed, when they were cheered by the addition of a free- 
born child, their first and only Offspring, 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 191 

Among our excursions abroad this summer, the following 
description by Mr. Brown is given. 

Keene, Essex Co., N. F., Juli/ 11, 1844. 
We took the Steamboat Burlington, commanded by 
Capt. Sherman, — and, permit me to say, that if you wish 
to see the most perfect specimen of a steamboat and a 
steamboat commander, be sure to take passage on the Bur- 
lington. I have travelled on (I think) every steamboat 
route from Maine to Missouri, on lakes, rivers, sounds and 
seas, and am free to say that Capt. Sherman and the Bur- 
lington must bear the palm. I think that even the North 
River commanders would be improved by a single trip 
with Capt. S. Parties of pleasure, will find it really a 
pleasure to give Capt. S. the pleasure of making them as 
it is their pleasure to be, on any excursion of pleasure 
through the beautiful and pleasure-loving Champlain. 
Many a slave has enjoyed the indescribable pleasure of 
leaping from the liberty-loving *' Burlington," to feel the 
pleasure of being free under the protection of a dueen 
whose pleasure it is to make the lowest of her subjects 
happy. 

Essex County. 

We landed at Westport, to which place notices had 
been sent for meetings. At Westport is the residence of 
Judge Hammond, who, by the aid of political abolition- 
ists, was elected to the legislature last Fall. Many who 
gave their votes for him did so under the assurance that 
he was not a " Clay man.^' He is a Deacon of the Bap- 
tist church. A few years since, when abolitionism was 
more or less identified with New York Whigism, a num- 
ber of the now leading Clay men in that town were very 
efficient abolitionists. Knowing that Judge Hammond 
was an influential man, and professedly a christian and a 
gentleman, and that Westport professed to embrace a large 
share of the respectability of Essex Co., I anticipated at 
least a courteous reception In the notice I had sent there 
I had stated upon what boat I should leave Whitehall, and 



192 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

requested that any who might be interested, to meet me at 
the landing. On my arrival, I soon learned that instead 
of any arrangements for a meeting having been made, a 
consultation had been held and an understanding conclud- 
ed that the object of my visit was to be defeated. I was 
informed that the Baptist meeting house would be closed 
against me, upon the ground that I was in favor of politi- 
cal abolitionism ; although the same house has been opened 
again and again for Whig and Locofoco meetings, and for 
almost every description of meetings. It was denied me 
for a lecture without ceremony, and it was said that no 
house in the town would be granted me ; and every effort 
that priests and politicians could make was made to pre- 
vent it. The Methodist house was however granted. 
" Then came the tug of war." A consultation was held 
by certain men which resulted as follows — notices were 
sent to the Methodist and Baptist ministers, of which the 
following is a copy : 

*' Notice. — Rev. A. Brown, of Albany, will lecture in 
the Methodist church, Westport, at half past 7 o'clock, 
Sunday, P. M., in behalf of 3,000,000 slaves. Mrs. 
Brown will sing ' The Slave Mother's Lament for her stol- 
en daughters,' and other appropriate pieces." 

The notices were taken by the clergymen with the as- 
surance that they should be read ; but true to the politicians 
who rule the town, ministers and all, one minister read a 
part of the notice, and the other the whole — and then told 
their audiences that Mr. Brown, although probably a Min- 
ister in respectable standing, had come to that town for the 
purpose of getting up a political party, of which they did 
not approve, and therefore they (the ministers) could not 
give it their countenance or support. What there was in 
the notice that savored so strong of politics, I am at a 
loss to understand. A strong effort was then made in the 
public audience at the Methodist church to close the house 
against me, but the trustees took the responsibilityto open 
the house. The report was however industriously circu- 
lated that there would be no anti-slavery lecture. However, 
at the time appointed, a respectable audience assembled, 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 193 

and (with the exception of a few young loafers kept for 
the purpose of disturbing anti-slavery meetings) listened 
with attention. xA.fter the lecture, in company with Mrs. 
Brown, I started for the public house where we had put 
up. We were however immediately assailed by a body of 
full grown boys or men, and pelted with eggs until we 
closed the door of the Hotel against them. They did not 
even spare Mrs. Brown, but besmeared her with eggs. So 
much for the respectability of Westport. Their ministers 
and politicians shut up their houses of worship and de- 
nounce th*em as unworthy the confidence of the public, and 
then the unknown rabble pelt them (yes, even the women) 
with eggs. Would it not be well to send some of the in- 
fluential men of such a town, men who exert such a 
mighty influence, to the Legislature or to Congress? Had 
the ministers and politicians held their peace, no doubt 
we should have been permitted to lecture in peace and 
return home in quietness. The next morning we hired 
the landlord to carry us to Elizabethtown. 

ABEL BROWN, Cor. Sec'y. 

The following is from a friend in Elizabethtown, under 
date of July 12, 1844. 

For the Albany Patriot. 

Mr. Editor — We have recently been visited by Rev. 
Abel Brown of your city. Essex county has been quite 
neglected heretofore as a field for anti-slavery labor. Mr. 
Glen has been through the county once, and I believe Mr. 
Brown has visited three towns in the county once before; 
and although in several towns there have been some two 
or three out and out abolitionists, yet till recently there 
has been nothing reliable, in the form of anti-slavery or- 
ganization. Now, however, in at least five towns out of 
sixteen in our county, there is an organization on the true 
plan. We have 150 votes for a Liberty candidate for the 
Assembly last fall, and this coming fall we mean to give at 
least 500 for Birney and Morris. I think we have more 
than doubled our numbers within the last two weeks. 
17 



194 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

The tongue of slander had gone with its gall to Moriah, 
where Mr. Brown next lectured, but during the three 
meetings he held there, it more than lost its power. The 
Clayites there are covered with confusion ; so at Jay and 
Keeseville, where every effort of Whig malice was made to 
embitter the minds of the people against Mr. Brown. The 
spirit of Liberty at this rate, will soon be completely tri- 
umphant in Essex county. No attempt has been made in 
any instance, however, to discuss principles. At Gay they 
rallied and with the fragment of the division lately slain 
at Keeseville, had the folly to attempt a sort of discussion. 
Mr. Brown being a small man, they thought they could 
eat him up ; but the result was calculated to remind one 
of the fable of the eagle and the rabbit, which turned out 
to be no rabbit at all, but a veritable panther, which made 
a most luscious meal of the eagle. It is very easy to find 
a reason for the violent opposition made in this county to 
Mr. Brown. No man that loves the truth, can resist him 
in his fearless and terrible attack upon the hoary headed 
cannibal, American Slavery, that has been fed and fatten- 
ed by this Republican (?) Government, assisted by those 
who professedly minister at the altar of God, and then 
receive a large share of its nourishment from the blood of 
God's own children. Hence the opposition. He is a red 
hot sword, cutting right through the living flesh of the 
beast that has its priests in every town. We live here in 
the midst of a " generation of vipers," and a discourse 
from Rev. Abel Brown is ever a feast of fat things. I 
wish you could think best to publish the flaming letter of 
Burchard ; the Whigs hide it here ; Burchard has assas- 
sinated Clay's Texas letter. Ever yours, 

J. GAY. 

" In the counties of Clinton and Essex, there are a num- 
ber of intelligent Irishmen and as might be expected they 
are almost all of them abolitionists. The Catholic minis- 
ter near Clintonville is in the fullest sense of the term an 
abolitionist ; and uses his voice to influence his people to 
be found on the side of the oppressed. He secures the 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BllOWN. 195 

papefs published in Ireland, and pjaces them in the hands 
of intelligent men, who are ever ready to prove that the 
entire Irish nation are calling upon them to take side with 
the oppressed. 

At the mass meeting in Jay, a load of Irishmen and 
women (many of them Catholics) came six miles to hear 
Mr. Brown's addresses. Mr. B. says, that he counted 
twenty-six persons, drawn by that single four-horse team, 
who spent the entire day at the meeting." 

Among the various trials to which Mr. Brown was sub- 
ject at this period, is found the following account given by 
himself in reference to a — 

Riot and Mob in Troy. 

" It is once more our painful duty, to chronicle the most 
heartless and unknown attempt to insult, abuse, assault, 
trample upon, and kill unoffending citizens, in order to 
shut out the freedom of discussion and the light of truth 
from the minds of the respectable, honest and laboring class 
of the community, that has fallen to our lot for a number of 
years past. We have recorded accounts of mobs within 
the few past months, but not where there was such an ap- 
parent design to crush discussion at all hazards, as in the 
present instance. The circumstances are as follows : 

" The Corresponding Secretary of the E. N. Y. Anti- 
Slavery Society, Rev. Abel Brown, being under the 
necessity of spending a few days in Albany and Troy, 
thought it a favorable opportunity to start a Liberty asso- 
ciation in Troy, for the purpose of canvassing the city, and 
prepare for the Fall campaign. 

*' He accordingly consulted with a number of judicious 
Anti-Slavery friends, who advised that meetings be held 
on the Court House steps at 6 1-2 o'clock,?. M. Accord- 
ingly handbills were posted about the city, and at the 
appointed hour Messrs. Brown, Washington, Lane and 
Shipherd repaired to the Court House. Mr. Lane sang 
one of Garrison's songs, called ' Independence Day.^ 

** During the singing, Mr. B. was informed that a cer- 



196 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

tain lawyer had sent after ^ Frank Cleveland^ to attend 
and make sufficient noise to drown the voice of the speaker 
and prevent his being heard. An audience gathered round 
composed chiefly of peaceable and quiet men, who appear- 
ed anxious to hear, and Mr. B. commenced by saying, that 
he had come there to speak in behalf of 3,000,000 of men 
and women who could not speak for themselves ; explained 
what he meant by slavery, and gave a brief history of the 
denying of the right of petition j showed that it was de- 
nied to slaves ; that that class of men were denied even 
the privilege of telling that the chains of slavery were 
grievous to be borne. He referred to the treatment received 
by Hon. J. Q. Adams in the U. S. House of Representa- 
tives, when he inquired if a petition from slaves came 
under a certain rule, and then proceeded to refer to the 
sentiment of the song that had been sung, and drew a 
lively, if not startling description of the difference between 
the professions, shouts and celebrations of liberty on Inde- 
pendence day, and the real and true state of the case ; 
gave a vivid description of a nation shouting liberty, and at 
the same moment holding in their iron grasp three milHoB& 
of men as the most abject slaves, whom they denied even 
the right of asking for liberty. The speaker then referred 
to the fact that in this part of the nation we hold such cel- 
ebrations; even those who uphold and sustain the same laws, 
shouting liberty to all ; he pointed out to them distinctly 
the hypocrisy of such a course. He remarked further, 
that on last Fourth of July, they celebrated Independence 
in Troy, — and he understood that even in these times of 
Temperance (t& their everlasting shame) they mingled rum 
and powder with their Celebration. 

" The mere reference to the rum Celebration started cer- 
tain men who had been deeply involved in it, and they 
demanded that he should " take it hack,'' — but Mr. B. said 
he had made the reference to the rum celebration purposely, 
and could not take it back, — for it was a shame to any class 
of men to get up a rum celebration any where, more 
especially in Temperance Ti'o%f. Mr. B. continued ; only 
two or three persons took offence at the remarks respecting 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 197 

ram. All at once a terrible howling was heard at a dis- 
tance, and soon Frank Cleveland appeared. He ascended 
the stand and said, the speaker should be heard no more. 
After a long time spent in trying to persuade him to per- 
mit the speakers to be heard, he was called away by a 
certain lawyer and taken aside, when after a few moments 
conversation he came directly back : and said, that " the 
nigger'' might talk, but Brown should not. The colored 
man reftised to speak, and Mr. Brown said the meeting 
would adjourn until the next afternoon, when Mr. Wash- 
ington would speak. The next evening came, and Mr. 
"Washington spoke about one hour, when Mr. Lane 
attempted to speak and was overpowered by " Frank.'* 
The next afternoon, Mr. Brown spoke again, but was finally 
interrupted, when it was said that Mr. B. should not talk 
any more. Mr. B. then adjourned the meeting to a very 
retired part of the city for the following (Thursday) after- 
noon. Many threats were made of personal violence but 
the peace officers seemed not to care ; and the more refined 
portion of partisans laughed at the threats. Thursday P. 
M. came and Mr. Washington took the stand and spoke 
until about sundown, when Rev. Merritt Bates, every 
where known as a mild, kind, christian minister, yet a firm 
and decided abolitionist, spoke about ten minutes, and 
commenced showing the people their political connection 
with slavery. That was too much for the politicians to 
bear, and immediately, a dreadful howl was heard from 
about 20 persons who were there for that purpose. It was 
soon evident, and boldly said, that no man should talk " po- 
litical abolition." There was no effort made by the police 
officers to quell the rioting, although threats of tar and 
feathers were made by the mob, and effi^rts to run over 
the speakers. The meeting was adjourned until the next 
afternoon, when another large audience assembled. Mr. 
Brown was absent during the day, and only arrived in time 
to request Mr. Washington not to appoint^wrMer meetings, 
as it was necessary that he should accompany Mr. B. to a 
convention in a distant, county. The audience were after 
many thanks for their respectful attention, dismissed. The 
17* 



198 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

mob had been swearing violence during the day, while the 
more genteel opposers had been saying that Mr. B. ought 
not to be allowed to speak. The Mayor was seen by the 
Abolitionists — but he said he had no power to interfere 
unless violence was used, and the persons of the abolition- 
ists assaulted. The city officers — were many of them 
among the persons who stood and saw the breaking up of 
the meetings, and the insulting of the speakers. The mob 
which by this time, could number some fifty or more, 
thought that the officers and certain important politicians, 
had so encouraged them, that they could make a bolder 
effijrt ; they therefore resolved that they would commence 
a furious assault upon Mr. Brown, and any others that 
should be found sustaining him. Mr. B. had only come 
to the meeting on Friday evening, for a few minutes, had 
not spoke, and when called for by the audience, declined 
speaking, was leaving the ground about 8 o'clock, even 
before it was dark, when from 20 to 50 persons rushed to 
seize him. The officers found that thej were powerless. 
The lawyer who had been among the most violent denoun- 
cers of Mr. B. now made an effi^rt to stop them, — yet they 
pushed Mr. B. down, — and jammed him against the iron 
fence. The friends of Mr. B. appeared determined to 
protect him, and resisted the mob with so much effort, 
that Mr. B. passed away. The officers said they would 
protect him, while the mob followed on all sides, and with 
horrid oaths and hideous yells made the air resound, until 
they arrived at the house of the Mayor. The friends 
asked that Mr. B. might be permitted to enter the house, 
and find protection from those who had been making every 
possible effort to injure him. This was, however, pe- 
remptorily denied It was said that Mr. B. had rendered 
himself obnoxious to the people and he could not be pro- 
tected there. 

" The friends then made their way to Rev. Fayette 
Shipherd's. They were pounded, stoned and beaten the 
entire distance The officer left them soon after they 
started from the house of the Mayor. No arrests were 
made nor even an attempt to arrest any one, although per- 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 199 

sons engaged in acts of violence, must have been seen and 
known to the high constable. A number of the abolition- 
ists were severely used in addition to being pelted with 
stones — some even were pushed down and trampled upon. 
A friend who mingled with the mob as they passed up Alba- 
ny street, says their plan and design was to knock Mr. B, 
down and tJieji tratnple him to death. We give this plain 
statement of facts from the most authentic sources. What 
a picture does it present. The freedom of speech tram- 
pled in the dust. Innocent and unoffending citizens 
bruised and stoned, and their lives attempted in the streets, 
and the authorities look on and not even make an effort to 
arrest the offenders. Yea more, the high constable of the 
city giving aid and countenance to the mob by fleeing 
from those who are being assailed, and not even attempting 
to arrest even the most lawless. Why was all this done. 
The answer can be given in a few words. 

" There are many respectable and christian men in the 
city who are abolitionists ; who feel deeply for the slave, 
and who, disgusted with the old pro-slavery parties 
wottld, if they understood the designs and plans of 
the Liberty party, immediately join it and labor with ef- 
ficiency to promote its objects. The only way to keep this 
class of persons in their ranks, is to keep the truth from 
theny. To do this it becomes necessary to break up the 
meetings of the abohtionists ; libel and denounce those 
lecturers who can and will on any proper occasion, show 
these inquirers after truth the right way. Every thing 
must bow to party interests. 

" Unfortunately for them, the whigs are in power in the 
city of Troy, and they are especially interested to keep 
their predominance — and as a few votes taken from them 
would effectually ruin their fair prospects, the office-hold- 
ers and partisans are greatly distressed, lest their gains are 
taken from them. We do not suppose that the whig lead- 
ers desired that the abolition speakers should be mobbed,, 
but they did openly denounce and condemn them ; and 
countenanced the rioters day after day in preventing their 
being heard. That the officers had power to prevent the 



200 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

disturbance is evident, from the fact that in whig meetings 
similar disturbances have been commenced, but always pre- 
vented by the police. The Mayor even refused to take 
the least action upon the subject, and the high constable 
looked on and saw them assaulted and did not arrest the 
aggressors. 

" Again, Judge , a democrat, called' one of the 

speakers from the stand and told him he had abused the 
people, and desired him to break up the meeting : the 
same judge threatened to arrest one of the speakers if he 

caused disturbance. Now Judge knew that there 

were only a few men who did not quietly listen to the 
speakers, and why should he encourage the disturbers, by 
attempting to put away the speakers by calling one a liar, 
&c. &/C. Why did he not call off the men who were 
browbeating the abolitionists ? Really Judge the lat- 
ter course would have been a little more democratic. 

" Another, Justice , a democrat and a member of 

the church, stood by and laughed, and thus cheered on the 
men who were denying to American citizens the freedom 
of speech. That man had better confess his sins, or leave 
both the church and the office which he has so disgraced. 

" To show the spirit which prevailed in the city, in con- 
sequence of the Anti-Slavery meetings, as the mob were 
stoning Mr. B. and his friends in Albany street, between 
Third and Fifth Streets, certain ladies cried out, " give it 
to them^ we should like to put the tar on to him ourselves." 
If it had been in Kentucky, we should have supposed we 
were passing the harem of a certain distinguished gentle- 
man. We will not accuse those women of designing to 
add insult to injury, but we can assure them, that their 
words caused the stones to be thrown thicker and faster,, 
and it was not their fault, that the abolitionists were not 
murdered in consequence of it. 

** The candid reader will ask, why this omtbreak in the 
law abiding city of Troy. The answer is easy. The two 
great political parties have both of them nominated men of 
whom they are ashamed. The whigs would be ashamed 
to see Henry Clay marching througjs the streets with his 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 201 

sixty slaves. The democrats know that their candidate's 
views of Texas and slavery only need be known tob • hat- 
ed — yet both parties have so far advocated the claiu-s of 
their candidates as to destroy what little of moral piMci- 
ple remained, after the campaign of 1840. Their papers 
cast off all pretence of recognizing God's commands in 
their political affairs, and even the mass of clergymen are 
such perfect dupes of the politicians, that they durst not 
preach the duty of electing " righteous rulers." Their 
hearers are so absorbed in electing men whom they know 
fear not God, or regard (colored) men, that they would 
not suffer any minister to preach such doctrines and enjoy 
their support. 

*' The people are, therefore, in a most horrible condi- 
tion — being left without the fear of rebuke, the baser sort 
have committed the horrible deeds recorded above. * When 
the wicked bear rule the people mourn.' This is emphat- 
ically true in the present case — and may a righteous God 
open the eyes of the community to see their wretched con- 
dition, before all moral principle is swept from their re- 
membrance. 

*' But, inquires another, why should they be so enraged 
about abolitionists holding meetings and exposing the 
wickedness of slaveholding, the miseries of the slave, and 
the propriety of emancipation ? Certainly, the talk of ab- 
olitionists cannot be worse than slavery and slaveholders 
who are tolerated, yea, made welcome in Troy. No one 
even thought of mobbing them. Why not hear Mr. Brown ? 
Certainly the numerous lawyers and politicians can an- 
swer him, if he is half as incorrect as they pretend ! Be 
patient, readers, and you shall know why the party in pow- 
er are so enraged at Messrs. Brown, Bates and every other 
man who will faithfully show them their duty. 

"The two great political parties are both of them slave- 
holding parties: and they have for years, secured the aid 
of your votes to help them carry on their infamous wick- 
edness : and knowing that you are honest men and hate 
oppression, they dare not suffer you to be shown your true 
position, lest you forsake their party." 



203 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWrf. 

In connection with the preceeding statements, Mr. 
Brown gives an exposition of the various topics on which 
he intended to have lectured, and in conclusion adds; 

" Thus we have briefly stated a few points of difference 
between the parties, which it was Mr. Brown's intention 
to have stated in his public lectures, and for attempting to 
state which, he has been so cruelly mobbed — and for which 
certain persons say he shall not stay in Troy. Time must 
determine. A. 

The abolitionists of Troy were not to be defeated. An 
adjourned meeting was commenced the following week in 
a retired part of the City, near the house of Rev. Mr. 
Shipherd. The rioters were punctual to the hour of ap- 
pointment ; Mr. Bates, a Wesleyan preacher, both daunt- 
less and firm, commenced speaking upon one of those lit- 
tle summits, for which Troy is remarkable, an offset. The 
mobocrats proceeded to the spot, and in a moving column, 
endeavored to crowd the speaker from his position, and 
thus precipitate him headlong to the ground. He, howev- 
ever, evaded the result, by retiring with the rest of the 
assembly within the walls of Rev. Mr. Shipherd's church, 
(near at hand) as was their intention to do, on the ap- 
proach of night. The house was filled with those who 
came to listen to the truths promulgated. Several speak- 
ers were in attendance. Mrs. Brown being invited to as- 
cend the Platform, sung to them the affecting song of the 
Slave Mother's lament. 

*' Hark ! from the South, a voice of woe — 
The wild Atlantic in its flow, 
Bears on its breast the murmur low — 
My child is gone. 

" Like savage tigers o'^er their prey, 
They tore him from my heart away — 
And now I cry by night, by day — 
My child is gone. 
******** 

The hideous yells without were occasionally mingled 
with this song ; although some of the mobocrats within 
the house, listened with fixed attention and acknowledged 
its pathos. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



263 



Mr. Brown arrived about nine o'clock, (with valise in 
hand) having just returned from a convention in some of 
the northern Counties. He soon ascended the Platform 
and commenced speaking. The disturbance increased, 
accompanied by sounds in harmony with their discordant 
spirits, when a number of the rioters entered, and stood 
in front of the pulpit, ready to seize him, in case he fal- 
tered, or should descend to escape. He, however, re- 
mained firm and unmoved at his post, continuing to ad- 
dress the audience. The mobocrats finally retreated, 
(with the exception of a fev/ under the guise of friends,) 
and joined in the disturbance without the house — when a 
volley of stones were thrown at the windows, scatter- 
ing fragments of glass in every direction. The audi- 
ence rose simultaneously upon their feet ; Mr. Brown con- 
tinued to speak in a tone both fearless and strong, for the 
purpose of inducing them to remain, and not expose them- 
selves to the fury of the elements without. All that I 
noticed of his saying, at this critical moment, was — " I 
know «ot, but I am as well prepared to die now, as I 
should be forty years hence." The mobocrats finding their 
efforts unavailing, to' secure Mr. Brown, by frightening 
the audience from the house, set fire to certain combusti- 
ble materials near the windows. 

" Previous to these scenes, between two and three hun- 
dred citizens of all parties, had petitioned the Mayor to 
send officers to protect the people and arrest the rioters ; 
but he did not arrive until sent for and told that the mob 
had broken in the windows." He advised the abolition- 
ists, " to go home and go to bed and go to sleep." Dur- 
ing the presence of the Mayor and police officers, Mr. 
Brown and myself left the house through the back door ; 
and the rioters, numbering one hundred or more, soon 
dispersing, we returned to our homes by different and cir- 
cuitous routes — passing over a range of Mount Ida my- 
self, in company with friends, while Mr. Brown in dis- 
guise, went into the open streets, to watch the movement 
of his enemies, who had so signally essayed to destroy his 
life. 



204 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

This was the last scene of warfare, in which he person- 
ally suffered, (with which I am acquainted.) Mr. Brown 
was never well afterward. The exhaustion and fatigue, 
consequent to this continued struggle, with the violence 
inflicted upon his person altogether, contributed to weak- 
en and destroy that life, so generously sacrificed in the 
cause of the oppressed. The following Sabbath, (Aug. 
11th) Mr. Brown preached in reference to the riotous pro- 
ceedings, and the duty of abolitionists, in conflict with the 
enemies of God. 

He loved his enemies, and could pray in the spirit of 
Him who cried — " Father forgive them, for they know 
not what they do." He ever felt that the injuries done 
his person, or even character, were not so much in hostil- 
ity to himself, as to the cause he espoused ; in short to 
the truth itself — so far as he was able to present its claims 
to the hearts and consciences of men. 

Those poor, ignorant and deluded men, who inflicted 
violence upon his person, he blamed less, than their 
instigators and supporters. He looked upon FrankCleve- 
land, the reputed leader of the mob in Troy, as being at 
the time under the influence of intoxicating spirit, and 
also hired to do the devil's work. One day, while walking 
in the streets with Mr. Brown, we met Frank. Mr. Brown 
immediately bade me go forward, while he stopped and 
expostulated with him in reference to his conduct. Mr. 
Brown remarked on his return home, that Frank seemed 
heartily ashamed of what he had done. This, Mr. Brown 
performed as a Christian duty, and not from any desire to 
extort a confession from him, for his evil doing, from any 
personal consideration. 

Mr. Brown was previously known and hated in Troy, by 
a certain class of persons, — ere he took up his abode in 
the city — on account of his engagedness in the Reforms 
of the day ; and his enemies during the excitement referred 
to, did not hesitate to allude to many circumstances, con- 
nected with his ministry of blessing and benefiting his 
fellow-beings. In one instance — sometime previous, Mr. 
Brown received the entreaties of a Christian mother to 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 205 

search for a lost daughter, once his Sabbath School Schol- 
ar ; and who she suspected had found her way to some 
house of infamy, in the city of Troy. — Mr. Brown suc- 
ceeded in finding her, and also assisted her, in her 
determination to leave the place. On conveying her trunk 
to the Hotel, — certain persons interested in her detention, 
discovered the design and prevented her escape. Mr. 
Brown consequently re'^eived much abuse and his watch 
was stolen from him. On wnich account, a trial was held 
at Court, in reference to the whole affair ; — and resulted, 
in breaking up some two or three houses of this descrip- 
tion. This case mzs-construed, formed a subject of 
villification and abuse, among other assertions, equally 
ridiculous and absurd ; such as, that I was not his lawful 
wife, &-C. Some of the reports of our enemies, (aside 
from their calumny) were really amusing, and calculated 
rather to produce a smile, than a tear. 

Mr. Brown continued to labor in the cause of the slave, 
with the same zeal and determination, that had hitherto, 
characterized his career. 

Among the variety of Conventions attended by Mr. 
Brown at this closing period of his life, were the counties 
of Clinton, Saratoga, Montgomery and Schenectady. 

One account given by himself, exhibits a pleasing con- 
trast to those miserable, fiendish scenes described. 

Saratoga County avtake at last. 

Edinburgh, Sept. 10, 1844. 
We are at this hour (10 o'clock at night, Sept. 10,) just 
closing up a great Liberty Convention in Edinburgh. The 
large church in which v/e have met has been well filled 
during the day, notwithstanding the loco-focos have held 
a mass meeting within a mile of us. The excellent Edin- 
burgh Band have been in attendance during the day and 
evening, and have given us fine music, and made us a do- 
nation in cash into the bargain. The pro-slavery parties 
are making their last dying efforts; but I am very happy 
to see that they all feel the force of our Liberty addresses, 
and must soon submit to our principles. The Band here 
18 



236 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN'. 

refused to play for the Polk convention, choosing rather to 
join with and cheer on Liberty's host by their soul-stirring 
music. 

Indeed this is a grand Convention — a new era in Sara- 
toga Abolitionism. The house is still full, and the 
audience have just voted unanimously to stay another hour, 
and hear another Liberty speaker. The friends have con- 
cluded to raise $100 to employ an anti-slavery agent to go 
through the county to circulate tracts, papers, petitions, &:,c. 
and to lecture and wake up the people to the interests of 
Liberty. We have called another Convention, to meet in 
Corinth, week after next. Liberty is progressing. Adieu. 

A. BROWN. 

The last Convention, I ever attended abroad with my 
Husband, was at Corinth. The occasion was one never 
to be forgotten. At the time I was visiting Saratoga — en- 
joying its waters and scenes — when Mr. Brown, agreeable 
to appointment, arrived. On approaching my boarding 
place, the first I noticed was his limping movement in 
walking, assisted by his cane. He had unfortunately 
sprained his foot very badly in descending the Platform, at 
a Convention in Utica, the week previous. He was also 
apparently much worn with exertion and fatigue ; — 
and his brother at home, endeavored to dissuade him from 
attending the Convention, but Mr. Brown true to his ap- 
pointment, was not to be detained. He therefore came 
with the ease and rapidity of the cars to Saratoga. A 
gentleman was already in waiting for him, to convey him 
to Corinth that night. He was very anxious to proceed, 
but a severe thunder shower approaching, I persuaded him 
to remain, on condition that I would start with him at 3 
o'clock in the morning. We accordingly started, having 
some sixteen miles or more to ride in an open carriage. 
It was very dark and cold. We arrived in season to at- 
tend the Convention at the usual hour of meeting on Sab- 
bath day. After enjoying the morning's repast, and a 
comfortable fire, we were invited to ride four miles further 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 207 

to the place of the Convention, where we found an exten- 
sive collection of people, within and around a large barn, 
fitted up for the occasion. We did not find the Saviour 
literally, **in the manger," but excluded from the sanctuary, 
which was dedicated to *' purposes, more sacred" than 
that of discussing the rights of the poor slave; we found 
his words of denunciation, pity and rebuke, as uttered to 
the Scribes and Pharisees of old, equally applicable to the 
present time. 

The barn was in a very dilapidated condition, and being 
obliged to occupy the north side, opposite the entrance, 
there seemed no security from the cold, except, what was 
found in a Buffalo skin, suspended back of the platform ; 
as good as a damask curtain behind a pro-slavery pulpit; 
and better (under the circumstances). Mr. Brown stood 
leaning upon his cane, at the same time forwarding me his 
cloak, for protection from the cold; so careful was he al- 
ways, for my health and comfort. 

The season was, notwithstanding, one of great interest 
to our cause ; and we were very happy in finding warm 
hearts, and listening ears, to the story of the slave's 
wrongs ; and friends who in imitation of our Saviour, 
were determined to " remember those in bonds as bound 
with them." 

Personal Observations. 

Many little incidents occurred, while travelling with 
Mr. Brown, indicative of his disposition to oblige and ren- 
der himself serviceable to others, by acts of kindness, 
apparently trivial and insignificant in themselves, yet bear- 
ing their due proportion ot weight in the estimation of his 
character. At one time on board a canal boat, a lady 
with an infant loudly crying in her arms was pacing the 
cabin, much agitated, and evidently mortified at the sup- 
posed annoyance to the passengers ; — when Mr. Brown 
mildly accosted her and said, let me take the little darling; 
he gently hushed it reclining on his bosom, while he softly 
paced to and fro the same floor ; producing a smile in the 
surrounding passengers, at the sudden transition of the 



208 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



child to perfect composure on being transferred from its 
mother's arms to a stranger's embrace. 

His politeness at home was common, and seemed as 
natural, as the most scrupulous observance of the same 
among strangers. It was not mere formal etiquette, but 
a kind and constant regard for the welfare of those around 
him, manifested in those minute attentions which help to 
fill up life's brief measure, and contribute to its highest 
enjoyment. 

Tranquil was his mind under all circumstances — serene 
in the high hopes and trust, his soul enjoyed in the love of 
his Saviour. 

In his Devotedness — he was truly '' a man of one 
idea" — but that a world-embracing idea, in his desire to 
bless and benefit mankind. And there was no moral sub- 
ject of the age, in which he did not feel a deep interest ; 
also, in the progress of science and the arts, as contribu- 
ting to the supply and convenience of our temporal wants ; 
and ultimately, to the advancement of moral truth. 

The laws of Health, — Indeed all those subjects con- 
nected with our physical being, he regarded in the light 
of moral obligation, in obedience to the laws of God. 
He knew no difference, he made no distinction, between 
the violation of a physical law and that of a moral law. 
He viewed them both, as equally destructive to the well- 
being of individuals and nations. He did not in the 
language of mere moralists and sentimentalists, speak of 
the laws of nature in contradistinction to the laws of God ; 
but viewed each, as belonging to one grand system in the 
infinite order and harmony of the Divine will. 

*' Of the spirit, there are divers operations" according 
to the dilFerent gifts, natural temperament, disposition, &/C. 
induced by circumstances or otherwise. I do not say that 
Mr. Brown was a perfect man, or that he always acted 
with discretion and wisdom ; this cannot, perhaps, be 
awarded to the best of men, but taking into consideration 
his ardent temperament, his mental activity and the pecu- 
liar circumstances in which he was placed, he acted more 
bravely and more conscientiously, than most men, thrown 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 209 

into the same vortex of malice, rage and hatred, toward 
the principles of his advocacy. 

In writing his Biography, I know that he would not 
wish me to pass a mere eulogy upon his virtues, but to 
give a true picture of his life, and hold up his defects, as a 
warning to others. This trait of his, was peculiar to him- 
self being rarely seen among men ; a willingness, to be 
told of his errors or faults, that he might correct them. 
He used often to say that in preaching against the sins of 
his fellow men, there was this advantage^ that ** they would 
turn right about and tell him, of some fault ;" which cor- 
rection he never despised, but would bethink himself, 
whether indeed, he deserved the censure ; and if in the 
wrong, did not hasten to justify himself, for he counted not 
that he was already perfect, but as ** being in the flesh 
and liable to err," but that he strove to bring every power 
and faculty of both body and mind into subjection to the 
will of Christ, I am assured. His secret devotions, his 
sense of unworthiness and humility in view of his imper- 
fections, his faith in Christ as the author of his salvation, 
his unwavering trust in God, his firm resolution in the 
discharge of duty, opposed to every obstacle of Satan's 
device — and above all, his willingness to sacrifice every 
personal consideration for the promotion of Christ's king- 
dom and the advancement of his cause ; all show him to 
have been actuated by any motive, rather than selfishness, 
a foolish ambition or vain glory. 

No greater test, of the sincerity of an individual in any 
great and good cause can be given ; than that he has shown 
himself willing to suffer; indeed, that he has been made 
a willing sacrifice^ in the labors, toil and privations he has 
endured, to accomplish the design of his mission. Such 
was Abel Brown — eccentric, as his course often appeared 
even to his best friends — they can conscientiously award 
this meed of praise, dae to his services as a disinterested 
and devoted christian ; seeking to promote the interests 
of humanity, and to aid in restoring the God-given rights 
of the slave, to liberty and the blessings of freedom. He 
considered the Christian's duty not confined to the atten^ 
18* 



210 



MEMOTR OF ABEL BROWN. 



tion of himself, but extending to all his fellow-beings, in 
common with his race. The christian warfare, he consid- 
ered aggressive, that sin must be rebuked. He seemed to 
think, one ought to be thankful, to be told of his faults. 
He looked upon »m as a disease, — and that to be the 
greatest kindness, to convince a person of his true state, 
and point him the remedy in Christ. Public sins, 
he thought should be rebuked in a public manner, that the 
evil might thereby be effectually eradicated; finally, he 
deemed it the only true method of combating such sins as 
slavery and kindred evils. 

Although his denunciations were severe, and he " cried 
aloud and spared not," when neciessity required; and his 
opponents were never flattered into accordance with him, 
yet when converted, they were radically so, and perman- 
ently abided in the^ood work. 

He abhored sectarianism, in the latter part of his life. 
As proof of this, a clergymen in New England asked Mr. 
Brown in reference to a Thanksgiving Discourse, for 
what particular blessings should we be thankful ? to which, 
he replied, for the increase of liberality among Christians, 
1 cannot vouch for his views in this particular at an earlier 
period, unless the sentiment uttered in a preceding letter 
to his sister, be an indication to this effect, in which he 
says, " if the Baptists would only lay aside their party 
feelings, &.c." Still, he ever held the doctrine of Immer- 
sion, as of binding obligation on every believer of Christ, 
(as I have heard him express in private conversation) on 
the ground of obedience to a plain command as given by 
Jesus Christ, himself, who also left his example, with his 
own words to St. John the Baptist, saying, '* for thus it 
becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.'^' 

Mr. Brown held what he termed a rebuking connection, 
with the pro-slavery portion of the Baptist Church, who 
would have been very glad to have excised him from their 
denomination, could they have found sufficient excuse, as 
in vain they sought. 

He saw clearly the iniquity of partisans, and professed 
christian apologists for slaveholding ; — those who cried 



MEMOIR or ABEL BROWN'. 211 

*' peace, peace, when there is no peace," — and he, a war- 
rior in the Anti-Slavery field, should he not do battle for 
the. slave, or should he coward turn and recreant prove, 
to the high trust commissioned to him as an Ambassador 
of the Saviour of men, who came on Earth to proclaim 
liberty to the captive. 

During the last days of Mr. Brown, he seemed deeply 
impressed with the shortness of time, and the injunction 
to " work while the day lasts, lest the night approach 
wherein no man can work/' seemed by him literally ful- 
filled, in his constant aim to finish the work appointed for 
him to do. And he several times, publicly remarked that 
he no longer anticipated rest, this side of the grave. He 
seemed also to experience deep searchings of heart, and 
he particularly requested the prayers of Mr. Shipherd's 
Church in Troy, after preaching to them ; and in allusion 
to his trials and sufferings from his enemies, he asked them 
to pray that he might have more Christian dignity — more 
of meekness, united with true courage in defence of the 
right. I never shall forget the expression of his counte- 
nance, as with child-like simplicity he made this request. 
We had previously talked over the matter, in relation to 
the subject of exciting and arousing the morbid passions 
of men, by his plain, pointed rebukes ; and he was anx- 
ious to know, if there was any thing in his manner, that 
might be obviated. Not that he had rebuked too sharply, 
but whether he might not administer his reproofs with 
more coolness and gentleness united, or,, as he expressed, 
with Clu-istian dignity. 



212 MEMOIR OF ABTIL BROWNT, 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

The Family Circle — The visit of Alvan Stewart. His Letter — Our Part-- 
ing — His last Journey for the Slave— His visit at llochester — Free 
Mission Meeting — The last Letters— His sickness and death — Corres- 
pondence of the Mosher family— Effusions of Grief— Funeral Services 
— An Obituary Notice— Resolutions — Monumental Inscriptions — Con- 
clusion. 

Our family the few last months of his life, consisted of 
a brother from Wisconsin, and a colored girl for whom he 
was guardian, in connection with myself and husband ; 
and a happy family we were. Our morning and evening 
devotions will ever be remembered with heartfelt gratitude. 
It is not for me to extol our own mode of worship ; espe- 
cially, within our family circle ; but in order more fully to 
portray the life of him of whom I am writing, I allude more 
especially to those seasons as conducted by him. No stiff 
formality, characterised those hours ; but the same easy, 
affable manner displayed in his usual address, also found its 
way to the family altar. Instead of occupying the time 
wholly himself, we would first read in rotation, then sing 
together, and then my husband would lead in our peti- 
tions, or as often, ask some other member of the family to 
engage in this exercise. How much consolation, those 
hours now afford my soul ; and I rarely think of him, ex- 
cept upon the bended knee alone, or at the family altar. 
I can even now, seem to hear that voice of supplication to 
the Father of mercies, and hear that song, so dear to him — 
as with great earnestness, he would sing — ** What mean 
ye, that ye bruise and bind my people, saith the Lord." 

The pressing cares of Mr. Brown in the cause of the 
slave, had prevented his being at home but little of the 
time, during the Summer and Autumn. In the month of 
October, he was called to attend a Court in Poughkeepsie, 
in relation to an occurrence which happened in April, 
and already noticed in a previous chapter. 

The following, letter from Mr. Stewart, for the Albany 
Patriot, presents a farther account of the case, and of the 
continued trials, to which Mr. Brown was subject. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. ^\% 

Albany, Oct. 14, 1844. 
Editor of the Patriot : 

Sir — I cannot refuse to record the gratification I feel to 
Him, who rules the hearts of men, for the two delightful 
Anti-Slavery meetings I have held in the last three days. 
One at Poughkeepsie, on Friday the 11th inst., and the 
other at Troy last evening the 13th. 

The Rev. Abel Brown, held an Anti-Slavery meeting 
in a country town of Dutchess county some months since, 
and \vas attacked by a most ferocious mob in the course 
of the evening. The Rev. Mr. Van Loon, the distinguish- 
ed Anti-Slavery orator, was speaking, wl^n a set of vile 
beings came in, with large quantities of liver, lights and 
putrid meat, and threw these missiles at the head and per- 
son of Mr. Brown and others, and hallooed with the shouts 
of fiends let loose. Mr. Brown defended himself with a 
board* without using violence to any man, and his friends 
went before the grand jury of Dutchess, and got the mob- 
ocrats indicted, — when one of the mob crew perjured 
himself, by swearing before a grand jury, that Mr. Brown 
committed an assault and battery, to try which indictment 
against Brown at the present Oyer and Terminer, before 
Judge Ruggles and his associates. — Mr. Brown had writ- 
ten to me a pressing letter to come down and aid as counsel 
on the trial. But the court refused to try it, and it will go 
over to the June sessions, when 1 hope we shall try the 
mobocrats as well as the abused and worthy friend of men. 

The last meeting for the slave, we held in Troy, was on 
the occasion of Mr. Stewart's visit, in company with Mr. 
Brown on his return home from Poughkeepsie. 

Mr. Brown had previously made arrangements to visit 
Western New York, for the purpose of holding a series of 
Conventions in behalf of his agency, and' to obtain sub- 

* Mr. Van Loon, has since told me, tlmt the board was used to protect 
the person of himself while speaking — by holding it before his face.' 
Tlie mob surrounding the house, as also the rioters within, prevented the 
escape of the speakers, and they were consequently compelled to receive 
such abuse as savage men saw fit to inflict ; without being allowed even 
the protection of a bourd to ward oft'the offensive missiles at them hurled. 



214 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

scriptions and funds for the Albany Patriot — as one of its 
Proprietors — and to sustain which, he had spent much 
time and effort during the last four or five months of his 
life. 

As Mr. Brown anticipated spending some weeks, in his 
contemplated tour; I embraced the opportunity of visiting 
my friends in Massachusetts, during the same time, where 
also, my husband purposed on his return, to meet me, in 
company with his son Walter, on the anniversary of 
Thanksgiving. 

On the morning of his departure from home, he prayed 
with unusual fervor and earnestness ; that he might go out 
with a single eye to the glory of God. 

The idea of parting, each for opposite routes carrying 
us some four hundred miles from each other, was indeed 
painful ; and my own heart began to relent, but Mr. Brown 
endeavored to console me, and brushed away my tears (as 
he was wont to do) and said, you are going to see your 
friends (whom I had not seen for nearly ten months). He 
first went over to Albany on some preliminary business, in 
the morning, with the intention of taking the evening train, 
and being obliged to start from Albany myself, the coming 
morning, I went over once more to see him ; and there 
severed — never more in earthly forms to meet. How little 
of fate we know. We blindly wander forth, and when we 
give the parting hand, it may be the last, affection's grasp 
can yield, and when the eye turns silently away in the 
fond adieu, it may be forever to close on us. 

Wearied with exertion and worn in countenance, yet 
uncomplaining, he pursued his way in the same evening, 
Oct. 14, 1844. Reached Rochester, in time to attend a 
meeting for Free Missions of the Baptist denomination 
held on the 15th inst. Spoke with great solemnity and 
earnestness, — so that it was observed on the occasion ; told 
them, it was probably the last time, he should ever address 
them. Held up to view the position of the Baptist de- 
nomination in reference to Missions; and said, as one 
clergyman present remarked, — '* what no other man dared 
say.'^ 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 215 

A severe change taking place in the weather, in conse- 
quence of a tremendous gale — extending from the Lakes 
lo this place, — Mr. Brown suffered much from cold in 
connection with over exertion and fatigue. On his way 
from Rochester to Canandaigua, he left the cars at Victor, 
about midnight; and not being able to find lodging at the 
Hotel, — neither«being able to find his friend, Mr. Clark, 
(who had so often cheered our Conventions with his music) 
he was obliged to call at the private house of a stranger — 
and on knocking at the door, related to the man of the 
house, his predicament and unfortunate position ; and 
asked the favor of being permitted to stop a few hours, 
and then early in the morning, he wished to be conveyed 
to Canandaigua to meet an appointment as an Abolition 
lecturer ; upon this announcement, the man bid him be- 
gone, telling him, " he would shoot him, unless he cleared 
out instantly." Mr. Brown with valise in hand, was then 
obliged to walk three miles in a stormy night, before he 
could find a resting place. 

This memorable night, in the fate of his death, is ever 
portrayed to my mind, in the words of '* the poor way-far- 
ing man of grief.'' A song of solemn import ever, to 
Mr. Brown when singing. Dark and dreary was that hour, 
when at midnight, 'mid raging winds and tempest driven, 
he a shelter sought wherein to lay his shrinking shivering 
frame, — O, sadly mournful, — though methinks, hisSaviour 
was with him still. He prayed, yes, I know he prayed — 
he thought of her, who in her native nest far away was 
borne, and he thanked the Lord, that she was sweetly 
slumbering ; nor did he forget that poor man, who had 
thus turned him from his door, — but more in pity, than in 
hate, cried. Father forgive him this murderous icill — the 
deed he would fulfil. Dear Saviour, — how has he treated 
thee ? For '* inasmuch," as we he sheltered not, even 
this to thee was done. 

Mr. Brown reached Canandaigua on the following morn- 
ing, at the appointed Convenlion, Oct. 21st, yet was unable 
to say but little, in consequence of cold, exhaustion and fa- 
tigue, produced by his walk and exposure the previous night. 



216 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

Having promised to write Mr. Brown, at his request, 
immediately on my arrival home, I did so, — and will insert 
one single clause of this last communication to him from 
myself, under date of Oct. 16. 

How much I thought of you all the way 

from Albany ; yes, my dear husband — a»d I prayed that 
our hearts might still be united, though so far absent from 
each other; and immediately, 1 seemed spiritually to per- 
ceive the person of our Saviour, with each and both of 
our hearts in his possession. Blessed thought ! May it 
indeed be so. 

You need much strength to go through your arduous 
duties, and I pray that God may give it thee 

Receiving no intelligence from Mr. Brown, for some 
two or three weeks, I was filled with anxiety and fearful 
apprehension, for his safety, — when I received a letter 
from him, written at Honeoye, Ontario Co., bearing date 
of Oct. 30th, in which he says, — " 1 am under the necess- 
ity, of informing you, that I have been sick in this place 
about ten days. I have had a violent attack of fever. 
Have been among the most kind friends, who have watch- 
ed over me and taken the very best of care. I was so 
broken of my rest at Rochester and elsewhere, that I was 
obliged to give up and be sick. Another man went on and 
filled a part of my appointments. 

There has been a terrible snow storm here. The snow 
is some eight inches deep and still coming. It looks queer. 
All around me dressed in winter. 

I am entirely rid of the fever, and recovering as fast as 
can be expected ; but it will probably be some four or five 
days before I shall be able to be about as usual. 

I trust you will be patient, and hope and wait until I 
return. Above all things, I charge you not to come to me. 

Trust in God and do good, — and God will take care of 
thy husband. 

If I am dangerously ill, I will inform you. 

My love to all, ABEL. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 217 

He also writes on the following day, Nov. 1st, of his 
intention to start on the morrow, for Canandaigua on 
his way to Buffalo and home to see his children. 

From the letters, written during this period of the sick- 
ness and death of Mr. Brown, the following particulars 
are given. 

*' Mr. Brown went to Canandaigua on Saturday, Nov. 1, 
as he anticipated ; and called at the house of our friend 
Mosher — as a sick man. Greeted Mrs. Mosher cordially 
on his arrival. Spoke of pursuing his journey on Monday. 
He seemed to have no correct idea of his situation — ap- 
peared worn and exhausted, and perfectly restless. In the 
afternoon, he tried to get some sleep, for he said, he had 
not rested one night well since he left Albany ; but his 
efforts were in vain. On Sabbath morning, he rose and 
dressed himself and came down from his room alone, and 
while partaking of his food, was asked by Mrs. Mosher, if 
he did not wish them to write me to come. No, he replied, 
* I told her she must not come.' Immediately ^fter, he 
became speechless, — and remained so for two hours. Oa 
applying cold water to his head he recovered ; when he 
remarked, ' I thought, I should never speak again — that 
my labors on earth were ended, and that I should soon 
commence them in Heaven.' Mrs. Mosher told him that 
she also thought they were soon to close. He did not 
make her much reply, as he became delirious. At his par- 
ticular request, he was placed under the care of a Homoe- 
pathic Physician. 

Mrs. Mosher writes, " Sabbath evening he rested pretty 
well, and I retired, — and left Mr. Mosher sitting up with 
him. About ten o'clock, he commenced praying and 
talking very loud — I thought him dying — and I believe he 
thought so too. " O, I want to see my blessed Saviour, 
to go home and be forever at rest — Yes," he repeated, 
" rest from all the labors of earth." We asked him if he 
would like to see you. " O yes," he exclaimed, " I guess 
I should. She is a good woman, she took care of my soul." 
On being asked if we should send for you, ** you must 
send for her, you will won't you" — he replied. . . . 
19 



218 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

" On Monday he had a very sick day, mind wandering 
most of the time. Tuesday morning he appeared very 
sensible — wished to get up and sit by the fire. Said, he 
felt better, and thought he should get well. Mr. String- 
ham came in and he conversed with him fluently, and 
seemed in his right mind. He remarked to him, that he 
was a.mong his friends now, but thought it would be 
better if he was with some of his relatives. Said the room 
in which he was sick, was a pleasant one, (it was a large 
bed-room off the sitting-room). After conversing some 
time with him, Mr. S. mentioned something about election ; 
he groaned very deeply ; his attention was immediately di- 
verted, but he did not again appear so sensible that day. 
Mr. Adsit came in at one time, and he called him Brother 
Adsit, and wished him to sit nearer the bed that he might 
see him better. 

*' His appetite seemed good most of the time, and I never 
gave him any food or drink, or administered to his wants 
in anyway, without thinking of you, — he appeared so 
thankful, and would sometimes remark, '* I think I must 
make you some trouble." 

*' He spoke at one time of his little boys, and said he was 
intending to take the oldest one home with him. Whenever 
we spoke of you, he would say that he wished much to 
see you, but you must not come as it would be a short 
time before he should go home. He seemed to anticipate 
much pleasure at being at your Father's on Thanksgiving 
and mentioned it two or three times. When one person 
called, he would say, he was getting well, was in no pain, 
was not sick. The next moment he would say he was 
suffering exceedingly, was very sick. 

" I do not think of any thing that would give him comfort 
that he did not have. All our services were cheerfully 
performed. Mr. Brown prayed to be made one of Christ's 
"little ones," and after that, this passage of Scripture was 
constantly in my mind, *' Inasmuch as ye have done it 
unto one of these," &c. Dr. Matthews of our village at- 
tended Mr. Brown for three days, we then had a Council 
of Physicians. The disease was in his head and beyond 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 219 

the reach of Medical skill ; they called it the fever on the 
bfaiii. or dropsy in the brain. 

" On Wednesday we could see that he failed rapidly. 
Wednesday night he was taken with raving spasms which 
lasted about five minutes each, at intervals of two or three 
hours ; during which, he seemed impressed with the idea, 
that he was surrounded with a mob in pursuit of his life. 
** Must I be sacrificed, he would exclaim, — Let me alone 
every one of you." He did not use the least violence to 
any one but was trying to get out of the way. On Thurs- 
day we perceived that he could not live. He did not make 
much enquiry about any one. His mind was so disorder- 
ed, that he could not think of what he seemed inclined to 
tell us. Friday, about ten o'clock, he had a very violent 
spasm, after which he settled down quietly ; did not move, 
but continued to sink away until 5 o'clock, when he 
breathed his last without a struggle." 

Not receiving the first intelligence of his relapse and 
sickness, until the day of his death, — I was unable to be 
present through this scene of trial and suffering, and could 
not reach Canandaigua, to attend the last mournful rites 
of my dear departed Husband ! Having started to see 
him, on receipt of the news of his dangerous illness, I in- 
tercepted a letter on my way, containing information of his 
death and supposed burial. I immediately proceeded to 
my home in Troy — and being under peculiar circumstan- 
ces, I had no heart to go farther, or to visit the grave that 
contained the lifeless remains of him I so much loved, and 
of whom I had been so suddenly bereaved. 

The kindness of those friends, with whom it was my 
husband's privilege to spend his last expiring days, can 
never be forgotten ; and will be remembered in that better 
world, when we tune our harps anew to christian love and 
holy gratitude. 

The following letter from a sister of Mr. Mosher and 
then member of his fiimily and written on the event of 
Mr. Brown's death, is truly worthy of insertion, and on 
memory's page will ever be sacredly cherished. 



220 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

After alluding to bis phrenzied imagination caused by 
the cruel attacks of mob violence, she proceeds — 

" But he has gone where earthly fears will never more 
distress. The blessed Saviour has called him home. We 
will hereafter contemplate him as an inhabitant of that 
blessed abode. A shining spirit in the Courts of our 
God. His labors for suffering humanity are ended and 
he has gone to reap the reward of his faithfulness. 

Many are those who in obedience to that blessed com- 
mand of our Saviour, " will mourn with those who mourn, 
and weep with those who weep." Tears pleasant in mem- 
ory of his many virtues, and bitter when we reflect on 
how much we have lost, now are flowing from many eyes. 
But your grief my dear sister, must far exceed ours. You 
have lost your dearest earthly friend, your all — " cut down 
and withered in an hour." Those affectionate and endear- 
ing relations which in life afforded a pleasing s:itisfaction, 
are become the channel of a deeper and more poignant 
grief in his death. And this grief is rendered still more 
aggravating by the thought, that you were not near to 
smooth his dying pillow. But be comforted, dear friend, 
there was a " friend that sticketh closer than a brother," 
that received his departing spirit. You will not weep as 
those who cannot realise, the love which our blessed Sa- 
viour bears his children when he afflicts them. 

*' Behind a frowning Providence, he hides a smiling 
face." You may not realise this at first, but you will see 
that it is all love — unbounded love 

The Roman matron, when asked for her jewels, present- 
ed her children saying, — " These are my jewels." So to 
the Christian of nobler views, \\\s friends are his greatest 
earthly treasures, and when God has taken them to him- 
self, he feels that his treasure is laid up in Heaven, and 
shall not his heart be there .Is-)? But why need 1 offer 
words of human consolation, there is a void in the bereav- 
ed heart that nothing earthly can fill. There is a purer 
source of comfort, the voice of an indulgent heavenly 
Father speaks to him in every sorrow^ ^"^ be not dismayed. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 221 

I will not leave you comfortless." To that exhaustless 
fountain you will go and find relief. 

Mr. Brown's death was peaceful. Not a struggle was 
perceived. It was the remark of all present that they 
never witnessed a more quiet death. It is to us a consoling 
thought, for we feared it would be otherwise. 

May the Lord sanctify this heavy affliction according to 
his merciful design. Your sincere friend, 

LAURA MOSHER. 

It was indeed, a consolation, that Mr. Brown thus quietly 
sank to rest. 

Calm as the breath of even — was his last expiring hour, 
as through the valley of death, he passed from the dreamy 
shadows of earth to the realities of the spirit world ! Not 
the sun* declining, in all its soft radiance beaming, such 
visions as that hour revealed ; and 1 have often thought of 
the transport of this scene, on finding himself safely lodged 
in his Saviour's arms, instead of a merciless mobj expiring 
alike, with his fevered brain. 

On the morning after the news of my husband's death, 
when alone and overpowered with grief too deep for utter- 
ance, even in prayer, his happy spirit seemed to say, 
** sing Catharine, sing," and immediately my soul gave 
vent to the following effusion in strains of melody before 
unknown. 

[Given with no alteration, in unmeasured numbers.] 

Abel, dearest Abel — sing, sing with me ; 

How pure thy strain — for thou hast gone. 

Forever to be blest ! 

Be thou my guardian Angel, 

For thou art kind and gentle, Abel. 

How expressive thy hand, 

When raised in defence of truth ; 

How expansive thy mind — 

When plans thou devised ; 

To execute with zeal — what thy heart did feel. 

* He died with the setting sun at 5 o'clock in the Autumn of the year. 
19* 



f»oo 



MEMOJR OF ABEL BROWN, 



I feeF thy presence near, 

To love, direct and cheer ; 

Thou art my love, my Abel — 

Still, though in Heaven, thou art; 

Earth thou hast not left, 

Except its pains, its sorrows ; 

And all that annoyed thy soul, 

E'er thou left this earthly goal ! 

Sing Spirit, sing — thou lovedst to hear me, 

Now join with me, Oh, rather, let me join with t/iee I 




[la the words of Mrs. Hemans.J 

The music of another land hath spoken, 

No after sound is sweet ! this weary thirst ! 

And I have heard celestial fountains burst ! 

What love shall quench it? 

But Oh, sweet friend ! we dream not of love's might, 

Till death has robed with soft and solemn light 

The image we enshrined ! Bi^fore that hour 

We had but glimpses of the o'erm aster ing power 

Within us laid ! — then doth the spirit flame, 

With sword-like lightning rend its mortal frame,. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 



223 



The wings of that which pai*ts to follow fast, 
Shake their clay-bars, as with a prisoned blast 
The sea is in our souls ! 

He died, he died 
.On whom ray lone dev0t^«ess was^ cast !. 
I might not keept^oja^vigil by h« side, 
I whose wrung heart watched with him to the last ; 
I might not once, his fainting head sustain, 
Nor bathe his parched lips in the hour of pain, 
Nor say to him farewell ! 

An account of the Funeral obsequies as given by Mr. 
Mosher, in a letter to myself, is as follows : 

The Funeral services of Mr. Brown, were held at the 
Baptist Church in Canandaigua, on the Sabbath following 
his death. The Discourse on the occasion wa& given by 
the Rev. Mr. Adsit, and was based on the Declaration of 
St. Paul—'* I have fou-ght the good fight," 2 Timothy 4 : 
7. After narratirg Paul's arduous and numerous struggles 
in the Christian warfare,* so fully recorded in the Acts of 
the Apostles, he drew a parallel between the conflicts of 
the Apostle and those of oar beloved brother Brown ; 
showing in a very lucid manner, that the great object, each 
had in view, was similar in its nature, and the means used 
to accomplish this object, were the same. That the weap- 
ons of their warfare were not carnal, but spiritual, mighty 
through God to the pulling down of strong holds ; that 
each ended their warfare in the midst of their conflict, 
and entered into their eternal rest. 

Mr. Adsit alluded in a very striking manner to the 
treatment Mr. Brown had received in Canandaigua; but 
he rejoiced, that there was sufficient humanity left in the 
hearts of men, to treat the lifeless remains with respect ;. 
that they could be received into the sanctuary, from which 
Mr. Brown was excluded, when alive. 

The relics of Mr. Brown, were deposited in a part of 
the village burial ground, appropriated by the authorities, 
for the use of the Baptist Church in Canandaigua." . . . 

Through the kindness of friends, a meeting was ab'j- 



224 MEMOIR OF AB£L BROWN. 

held in Troy, in relation to the event of Mr. Brown's 
death — and the remarks given and sympathy manifested, 
afforded much consolation to my bereaved heart. 

Rev. Mr. Garnett gave the Discourse from the following 
words, — ** Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's 
business," — Luke 2 : 49. He then vividly portrayed the 
character of Mr. Brown, as manifested in his devotion and 
service to the will of his Divine Master ; and that death, 
found him still engaged about his Father's business ; which 
work, formed the only absorbing idea of his soul in mortal 
life, and the prelude to scenes of activity, still more glori- 
ous and extensive beyond the grave. He also alluded to 
the riotous proceedings in Troy, in opposition to the efforts 
of Mr. Brown, and the circumstance of his being haunted 
by those who had pursued his life, in his hours of delirium 
when sick, — as an evidence ol the sufferings he had pre- 
viously endured. 

Extracts from an obituary notice of Mr Brown from 
the American Freeman, published in Wisconsin : 

It has pleased the great Head of the Church to summon 
to a sphere of duty nearer his throne, the spirit of our 
brother, Abel Brown. " Blessed are the dead which die 
in the Lord from henceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit, that 
they may rest from their labors ; and their works do follow 
them." 

Our friends in the west have no doubt marked the 
prominent part, which the Providence and Spirit of God 
called him to perform in the anti-slavery warfare; and 
would naturally feel desirous to learn something more of 
his history. ******* 

"His love to Christ and the souls of men, were evinced 
by his indefatigable labors in the Temperance, Sabbath 
School and Moral Reform enterprises. The Spirit of 
Christ is a Missionary Spirit, and this he possessed in no 
common degree ; and but for the influences now operating 
in the church, and in the civil government, to reduce to 
and retain in heathenism, millions of our brethren and 
sisters at home, he would have delighted to exhibit to the 
benighted of other lands the glory of the Cross. But he 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 225 

felt that the reproach of our own land must be wiped 
away — duty — the souls of our brethren and sisters in 
bonds — the honor of Christ — the purity and reputation of 
the Church, and the permanent existence and successful 
result of the Missionary cause itself — each and all requir- 
ed the removal of slavery from our land. Commencing, 
therefore, with the foundation, and throwing his whole 
soul into the glorious cause, alike regardless of the attacks 
of bitter foes and false brethren, leaving a time-serving 
policy to those who had less confidence in Christ, he has- 
tened on to meet the consequences of obedience to God. 
And though sometimes surrounded by men of blood, the 
invisible hand of the Saviour shielded him, the Spirit whis- 
pered peace to his soul ; he felt ** safe under the shadow of 
the Almighty — the munition of rocks was his defence " 

"He sustained for the last four years past, the relation 
of Agent to the Eastern N. Y. Anti-Slavery Society. In 
every department of the Anti-Slavery enterprise, he 
exhibited a spirit that could not rest while so much was at 
stake and so much required to be done. In circulating 
anti-slavery publications, in urging religious denominations 
to practice the principles they avowed, and by their presses 

minietere, influonoc and benevolent soeictlco, tw nooiot -oxxr 

colored brother, who was bleeding in the porch of the 
sanctuary — in bringing the political parties at the north, 
from under the thraldom in which they were kept by the 
slave-power — in assisting, as a member of the vigilance 
committee, trembling Americans, to the number of not 
less than one thousand, to the shelter afforded by a mo- 
narchial government, from the inhuman monsters walking 
at large and claiming property in huin:m flesh. He was 
a pattern to believers — a living argument against unbelief. 

As a lecturer, he produced an impression deep and last- 
ing ; and if some of his arrows were not finely polished, 
they were less easily removed from the mind in which they 
had been fastened. 

His visit to this place will be held in long remembrance. 
We little expected, however, that it was the last interview 
till the sea shall give up her dead 



226 MEMOIR OF ABEI. BROWN. 

"That same Jesus, whose little ones bad so often been 
assisted by his servant, fulfilled the promise made to those 
who consider the cause of the poor, and made all his bed 
in his sickness. True, he was absent from his beloved 
companion, and his little ones, but he received from the 
friends with whom be stayed, all that attention and aid, 
that the most affectionate of earth could imp-art. 

** Thou art gone to the grave f" Yes — ^and art useful 
there. ** Being dead he yet speaks," calling on those who 
sympathise with Christ^s suffering little ones to press for- 
ward ; and, methinks, when the pearly gates were opened 
to receive his disembodied spirit, the glorified tuned their 
harps to a new and more melodious note as he mingled 
with them ; and he, and the hosts above, and the Lamb in 
the midst of the throne, mark with interest the most in- 
tense, the progress of humanity, liberty and love. May 
we follow his faith, possessing which, we shall be instant 
in season and out of season, till the message is heard, 

"■Child, thy Father calls, come h&me.'* 



The following Resolutions were passed by the colored 

oitizrotio of OtxiranJalg-ua, Nov. 11, 1^11, ** fov the pvtrpos^ 

of expressing their sorrow at the decease of the late Rev. 
Abel Brown, and also to sympathise with the friends of 
impartial liberty, on account of the loss, of so able and 
efficient an advocate of the cause of the down-trodden and 
oppressed." 

"We, the colored citizens of Canandaigua here assembled, 
feeling profound respect and love for the late Rev. Abel 
Brown, and deep and pungent grief for the loss we, the 
slaves and the friends of humanity have sustained, by the 
death of this, our distinguished and devoted friend. By 
his zeal and indefatigable perseverance, and the energy of 
his labors in the cause of human liberty, and by his ex^ 
posures and fatigue while travelling to promote the cause 
he loved, he has been early called from this, into a world 
of spirits, and we trusty is now reaping the reward of his. 



MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 227 

labors, and has entered into that rest prepared for all those 
who love the Lord Jesus Christ, and their fellow men, of 
whatever color or clime. Therefore, 

Resolved, That the christian church has been deprived 
of one of her brightest ornaments by the death of the 
Rev. Abel Brown. 

Resolved, That while we acquiesce with the will of Heav- 
en, we cannot do otherwise than lament over the loss of so 
valuable a friend of humanity, and so uncompromising an 
advocate of the cause of the crushed and bleeding slave. 

Resolved, That in this sudden dispensation of Provi- 
dence, we feel that we are bereft of one of the most effi- 
cient advocates of the cause of our countrymen, and the 
eloquent narrator of the story of our wrongs, — and while 
memory performs its sacred office, his name shall live to 
the grateful recollections of colored Americans. 

Resolved, That we, as colored citizens partially free, 
feel his loss to be a heavy calamity to us, and not only to 
us, but every lover of his country. 

Resolved, That we deeply sympathise with the afflicted 
companion and children, and commend them to the God of 
the widow, and the father of the fatherless, as one who is 
ever ready and willing to succor the needy and shield the 
innocent and unprotected, and with their tears of sorrow 
and affliction, shall be mingled our tears of heart-felt sor- 
row. 

After a few eloquent and impressive remarks by A. 
Seward, D. H. Ray, G. W. Tucker and others, the reso- 
lutions were unanimously adopted. On motion, it was 
resolved that the proceedings of this meeting be signed 
by the Chairman and Secretary, and be published in the 
Ontario Repository, the Ontario Messenger, the Liberty 
Press and Albany Patriot, the meeting then adjourned. 
G. W. TUCKER, Chairman. 

H. W. Johnson, Secretary. 



228 MEMOIR OF ABEL BROWN. 

A. Monument has been erected to the memory of my 
departed husband, bearing the following inscription. 

ABEL BROWN, 

A faithful minister of Him who proclaimed Liberty to 

the captive. 
A Hero, in the fearless advocacy of truth, and in vindi- 
cation of the oppressed. 
A Martyr, in his devotion and self-sacrifice to the calls of 

bleeding humanity. 
His memory lies embalmed in the heart of many a fugitive, 
and on the leaves of Immortality his deeds are inscribed. 

Rev. Abel Brown was born at Springfield, Mass., Nov. 9, 

1810. Died Nov. 8, 1844, at Canandaigua, N. Y. 

The Free Church of Canandaigua, and other friends of 

the slave, erect this monument, as a record of his 

resting-place, and a tribute to his worth. 

Conclusion. 

In preparing these Memoirs, I would say, that one 
consideration, not the least important that I have had in 
view, has been, to preserve a transcript of the life and 
character of my departed husband, for the special benefit 
of his orphan children ; — two of whom being deprived of 
both parents in early life, and one of my own, bearing both 
the name and impress of his father, yet to him unseen 
with mortal eyes ; and whatever he may learn of him may 
herein be gathered, as with care I have penned each leaf, 
bearing the mementos of precious deeds performed, and 
lofty principles maintained, 'mid the stormy rage of perse- 
cution, and strife of foes. 

But the love and affection of that heart, I cannot por- 
tray ; as the spirit alone, can give life and expression, even 
to the brightest page that memory's hand with skill can 
trace ; yet however faint the portraiture may be, I hope 
that my efforts have not altogether been in vain, to add a 
new testimony to the efficacy of Christian principle, as 
exemplified, in the disinterested motives and services of 
the subject of this Volume. 



